Federal Employees Political Activities Act

Federal Employees Political Activities Act - Permits Federal employees to: (1) express opinions freely in private and in public on any political subject or candidate; (2) join a political party or other party organization and actively participate in its affairs, while not on duty, except to serve as an officer of a political party or party organization; (3) contribute money voluntarily for political purposes; (4) become a candidate for and serve in a local office as provided in this Act; and (5) register and vote in any election. Prohibits any Federal employee or any individual defined in this Act from: (1) using official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of any election or the nomination for election of any candidate for public office or political party office; (2) directly or indirectly intimidating, threatening, coercing, or attempting to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any Federal employee or State or local employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value, including services, to a party, committee, organization, agency, or person for political purposes; or (3) using official authority or influence to coerce, or attempt to coerce, any political action by an individual, group of individuals, or organization. Prohibits any Federal employee or any individual defined in this Act from soliciting or receiving anything of value, including service or activity, either for personal reward or as a political contribution in return for the promise to use, or the use of, influence to secure an appointive office under the United States, a State, or any political subdivision thereof. Prohibits any Federal employee from engaging in political activity while on duty, or in or at an office leased or owned by the United States, a State, or any political subdivision thereof, or while wearing a uniform which identifies him as a public servant, except as may be specifically permitted; or from becoming a candidate or campaiging for or holding elective office if the office sought is an office of the United States. Requires any Federal employee desiring to become a candidate for elective or appointive local office, or to hold such office, to notify his agency in writing, and to request approval from the head of the agency and a determination that such candidacy or holding of office will not be adverse to the best interests of the United States. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act, including removal from position. Sets forth procedures for Civil Service Commission investigation of alleged violations of this Act. States that a person may not be excused from attending and testifying or from producing documentary or other evidence in obedience to a subpena of the Commission on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which he is compelled to testify or produce evidence. States that no person shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transactions, matter, or thing concerning which he is compelled, after having claimed his privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, nor shall testimony so compelled be used as evidence in any criminal proceeding against him in any court, except that no such person shall be exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying. Provides for judicial review of Commission actions under this Act. Sets forth restrictions on political activities of State employees who are primarily engaged in implementation of federally funded programs. Sets forth penalties and Commission investigative procedures for such State employees. Provides that any State desiring to participate in a State program on political activity administration under this Act may do so by establishing a State plan which is approved by the Civil Service Commission for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Commission to approve any such plan which: (1) provides that it shall be administered by a State commission or agency; (2) applies to all State and local employees; (3) prohibits coercive practices, solicitation, and illegal payments; and (4) provides sanctions, including removal or suspension. Authorizes appropriations of $1,000,000 per year for purposes of this Act.

Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in House" stage on July 3, 1974. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.

Every answer above is assembled from this measure's own record on Congress.gov and from published counts of what Congress has passed before. Civibrief does not predict outcomes and takes no position on any measure.