NightShift talking last night about Hatch Act as possible reason for Q's absence…
The vast majority of executive branch personnel are aware that the Hatch Act places limits on partisan political activities by civilian employees in the workplace. (Members of the military services are subject to similar restrictions under DOD Directive No. 1344.10.) The “Hatch Act Amendments of 1993” removed the majority of restrictions related to voluntary, “free-time” or “off-duty” activities on behalf of partisan candidates or political parties, while not engaged in their federal jobs and away from federal premises. Some of the rules:
May not invite subordinate employees to political events or otherwise suggest to subordinates that they attend political events or undertake any partisan political activity.
May not knowingly solicit or discourage the participation in any political activity of anyone who has business before their employing office.
May not engage in political activity — i.e., activity directed at the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group — while the employee is on duty, in any federal room or building, while wearing a uniform or official insignia, or using any federally owned or leased vehicle.
May not use any e-mail account or social media to distribute, send, or forward content that advocates for or against a partisan political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group.
May assist in voter registration drives.
May attend political rallies and meetings.
May campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections.
May distribute campaign literature in partisan elections.
May express opinions about candidates and issues. If the expression is political activity, however — i.e., activity directed at the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group — then the expression is not permitted while the employee is on duty, in any federal room or building, while wearing a uniform or official insignia, or using any federally owned or leased vehicle.
An employee who violates the Hatch Act is subject to a range of disciplinary actions, including removal from federal service, reduction in grade, debarment from federal service for a period not to exceed 5 years, suspension, letter of reprimand, or a civil penalty not to exceed $1000.
Individual departments and agencies all maintain their own rules and restrictions on lobbying activities, as well as guidance on what is permitted. These restrictions may well be narrower and stricter than any of the existing statutes and regulations, and it’s incumbent upon individual personnel to learn and follow their own agency rules and guidelines. To make matters even more complicated, jurisdiction over alleged violations of both the Hatch Act and the Anti-Lobbying Act are frequently confusing and overlapping, and may involve the Office of Special Counsel, the Justice Department, OMB, or the Inspector General and/or ethics office of the department or agency.
Sauce: https://ethics.od.nih.gov/topics/HA-Pamphlet-OSC-Sept2014.pdf