The Hatch Act

A bill to reform the Hatch Act could get a hearing this week. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) is pushing his Oversight and Government Reform Committee to consider the Hatch Act Modernization Act. The bill would give the government new options for dealing with feds who break the rules about political activity. It would also let state and local government employees run for elective office. Cummings is the committee's ranking member. He's written a letter to Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) asking the panel to consider the bill in its Wednesday business meeting.