Open The Hatch?

The Hatch Act is designed to keep politics out of the federal workplace. It was enacted in 1939 and last updated 20 years ago. Now, Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Alaska) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) have proposed an update to the Hatch Act allowing for a range of penalties. So far, one Republican has signed on to the bill. One provision would give the Merit Systems Protection Board more discretion over how to punish violators.