Sponsors (2)
The bill keeps Hatch Act enforcement active through government funding lapses to protect civil service impartiality, but it does so by allowing limited spending without fresh appropriations and may create uncertainty about which functions may continue during shutdowns.
Federal employees: The Office of Special Counsel can continue investigating alleged Hatch Act violations during a funding lapse, preserving enforcement continuity and allowing prompt resolution to protect an impartial civil service.
Federal employees and agency managers: The bill's narrow carve-out for OSC activity could create uncertainty about which agency functions are permitted during a funding lapse, risking legal disputes and inconsistent shutdown practices.
Taxpayers: The bill permits limited OSC activity to be funded during shutdowns without additional appropriations action, increasing federal spending during funding lapses.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Treats OSC investigations of alleged violations of 5 U.S.C. §§ 7323 and 7324 as emergency services during an appropriations lapse so those investigations can continue in a shutdown.
Introduced November 10, 2025 by Herbert C. Conaway · Last progress November 10, 2025
Treats work by Office of Special Counsel (OSC) officers or employees that relates to investigating alleged violations of two Hatch Act provisions (5 U.S.C. §§ 7323 and 7324) as emergency services during an appropriations lapse, so those investigations can continue during a government shutdown. The provision is narrowly limited to OSC duties connected to those specific alleged Hatch Act violations and does not broaden other OSC functions.