October 6 Bill Clinton Signs Hatch Act Reform

On this day in Labor History the year was 1993. 

That was the day that President Bill Clinton signed into law reforms to the Hatch Act. 

The Hatch Act was passed in 1939. 

It limited the political activity of federal employees. 

The act was passed due to accusations of alleged political cronyism by Democrats on New Deal projects. 

Half a century later, Congress loosened the restrictions. 

In his speech signing the reform, President Clinton explained the changes, “The Federal Employees Political Activities Act, which I'm about to sign, will permit Federal employees and postal workers on their own time to manage campaigns, raise funds, to hold positions within political parties. Still, there will be some reasonable restrictions. They wouldn't be able to run for partisan political office themselves, for example.” 

President Clinton described the importance of the changes, “We've been supporting democracy throughout the world…But here in our own country, millions of our own citizens have been denied one of the most basic democratic rights, the right to participate in the political process.” 

He ended his remarks by saying, “I look forward to the infusion and Federal and postal employee energy, expertise, and dedication into our political system that this bill makes possible.”

Today under the regulations of the act, most employees can assist in voter registration drives, attend fundraisers, contribute money, and distribute campaign literature. 

They can even run for office in non-partisan elections. 

They cannot use their jobs to influence elections or engage in political activity while on the clock. 

Today there remains a balancing act between protecting the free speech of federal employees, and keeping the government politically neutral.