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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 20 (101st)

Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1990

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

3 January 1989

Last action

25 June 1990 · Floor

Status

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Sponsors

Rep. Clay, William (Bill) [D-MO-1], Rep. Horton, Frank J. [R-NY-29], Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5], Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI], Rep. Alexander, Bill [D-AR-1], Rep. Anderson, Glenn M. [D-CA-32], Rep. Andrews, Michael [D-TX-25], Rep. Annunzio, Frank [D-IL-11], Rep. Anthony, Beryl, Jr. [D-AR-4], Rep. Applegate, Douglas [D-OH-18], Rep. Aspin, Les [D-WI-1], Rep. Atkins, Chester G. [D-MA-5], Rep. AuCoin, Les [D-OR-1], Rep. Barnard, Doug, Jr. [D-GA-10], Rep. Bates, Jim [D-CA-44], Rep. Bentley, Helen Delich [R-MD-2], Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28], Rep. Bevill, Tom [D-AL-4], Rep. Bilbray, James H. [D-NV-1], Del. Blaz, Ben G. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Boehlert, Sherwood [R-NY-24], Rep. Boggs, Corinne C. (Lindy) [D-LA-2], Rep. Bonior, David E. [D-MI-10], Rep. Borski, Robert A. [D-PA-3], Rep. Bosco, Douglas H. [D-CA-1], Rep. Boucher, Rick [D-VA-9], Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA], Rep. Brennan, Joseph E. [D-ME-1], Rep. Brooks, Jack B. [D-TX-9], Rep. Brown, George E., Jr. [D-CA-42], Rep. Bruce, Terry L. [D-IL-19], Rep. Bryant, John W. [D-TX-5], Rep. Bustamante, Albert G. [D-TX-23], Rep. Byron, Beverly B. [D-MD-6], Sen. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [R-CO], Rep. Campbell, Tom [R-CA-15], Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD], Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE], Rep. Carr, Bob [D-MI-8], Rep. Chandler, Rod D. [R-WA-8], Rep. Chapman, Jim [D-TX-1], Rep. Clarke, James McC. [D-NC-11], Rep. Clement, Bob [D-TN-5], Rep. Clinger, William F., Jr. [R-PA-5], Rep. Coelho, Anthony Lee [D-CA-15], Rep. Coleman, Ronald D. [D-TX-16], Rep. Collins, Cardiss [D-IL-7], Rep. Conte, Silvio O. [R-MA-1]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

14 January 2025

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Summary

Federal Employees' Political Activities Act of 1989 - Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of any election. Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority to intimidate, threaten, coerce, command, or influence: (1) any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of any individual to vote as the individual may choose, or of causing any individual to vote, or not to vote, for any candidate or measure in any election; (2) any person to give or withhold any political contribution; or (3) any person to engage, or not to engage, in any form of political activity. Prohibits an employee from using, attempting to use, or permitting the use of any official information, unless such information is available to the general public. Prohibits an employee from: (1) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or to refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; (2) soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; or (3) giving or handing over a political contribution to a superior of the employee. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving, or from being in any manner concerned with soliciting, accepting, or receiving, a political contribution: (1) from another employee (or a member of another employee's immediate family) with respect to whom the employee is a superior; or (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official or an individual receiving salary or compensation from the Treasury. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution from, or giving a political contribution to, any person who: (1) has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business or financial relations with the employing agency; (2) conducts operations or activities which are regulated by that agency; or (3) has interests which may be substantially affected by the performance of the employee's official duties. Directs the Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board to prescribe regulations which exempt employees from such prohibitions. Prohibits an employee from engaging in political activity: (1) while on duty; (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official; (3) while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the office or position of the employee; or (4) while using any vehicle owned or leased by the Government. Exempts certain high level political appointees from such prohibitions if the costs associated with the political activity are not paid for by money derived from the Treasury. Authorizes leave without pay or accrued annual leave to an employee who is a candidate, upon request, to allow such employee to engage in activities relating to that candidacy. Declares that such request may be denied if the exigencies of the public business so require. Declares that such employee may be required to take leave without pay or accrued annual leave in order to be a candidate if activities relating to the candidacy interfere with the employee's performance of duties. Applies this Act to postal employees and employees of the Postal Rate Commission.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 3 January 1989

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 3 January 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 3 January 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 9 February 1989

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Postal Personnel and Modernization.

    Source: Committee

  5. 13 February 1989

    Committee

    Executive Comment Requested from OMB, OPM, Postal Service, GAO.

    Source: Committee

  6. 12 April 1989

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 12 April 1989

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended).

    Source: Committee

  8. 12 April 1989

    Committee

    Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from OPM.

    Source: Committee

  9. 13 April 1989

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 16.

    Source: Calendars

  10. 13 April 1989

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. H. Rept. 101-27.

    Source: Committee

  11. 13 April 1989

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. H. Rept. 101-27.

    Source: Committee

  12. 13 April 1989

    Committee

    Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from Justice.

    Source: Committee

  13. 17 April 1989

    Floor

    Mr. Sikorski moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    Source: Floor

  14. 17 April 1989

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  15. 17 April 1989

    Vote

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 297 - 90 (Roll no. 28).

    Source: Floor

  16. 17 April 1989

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 297 - 90 (Roll no. 28).

    Source: Floor

  17. 17 April 1989

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules.

    Source: Floor

  18. 17 April 1989

    Vote

    Yeas and Nays were ordered. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed.

    Source: Floor

  19. 17 April 1989

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate.

    Source: Floor

  20. 17 April 1989

    Passed

    On ordering a second Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  21. 17 April 1989

    Floor

    Mr. Horton demanded a second on the motion to suspend the rules.

    Source: Floor

  22. 18 April 1989

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

  23. 10 May 1990

    ResolvingDifferences

    Senate insists on its amendments, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Glenn; Levin; Pryor; Kohl; Lieberman; Roth; Stevens; Rudman.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  24. 10 May 1990

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 135 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 67-30. Record Vote No: 90.

    Source: Floor

  25. 10 May 1990

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

    Source: Floor

  26. 10 May 1990

    Discharge

    Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Discharge

  27. 10 May 1990

    Committee

    Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Committee

  28. 14 May 1990

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  29. 12 June 1990

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  30. 12 June 1990

    Vote

    On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 334 - 87 (Roll no. 163).

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  31. 12 June 1990

    Vote

    Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 334 - 87 (Roll no. 163).

    Source: NotUsed

  32. 12 June 1990

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House is proceeding with one hour of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (By unanimous consent, the time for debate includes an additional twenty minutes which provides one hour of time total.)

    Source: Floor

  33. 12 June 1990

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Armey demanded a second on the motion to suspend the rules. Without objection a second was ordered.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  34. 12 June 1990

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Ford (MI) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  35. 13 June 1990

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  36. 13 June 1990

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  37. 13 June 1990

    Floor

    Measure Signed in Senate.

    Source: Floor

  38. 15 June 1990

    President

    Vetoed by President.

    Source: President

  39. 15 June 1990

    President

    Vetoed by President.

    Source: President

  40. 18 June 1990

    Veto

    Mrs. Schroeder moved to postpone consideration of the veto message until June 20.

    Source: Veto

  41. 18 June 1990

    Passed

    On motion to postpone consideration of the veto message until June 20. Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Veto

  42. 18 June 1990

    Veto

    The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.

    Source: Veto

  43. 20 June 1990

    Vote

    Passed House over veto: Two-thirds of the Members present having voted in the affirmative the bill is passed, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. Passed by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 327 - 93 (Roll No. 184).

    Source: Veto

  44. 20 June 1990

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered without objection.

    Source: Floor

  45. 20 June 1990

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate.

    Source: Floor

  46. 20 June 1990

    Veto

    Veto message received in Senate. Ordered held at the desk.

    Source: Veto

  47. 20 June 1990

    Vote

    Two-thirds of the Members present having voted in the affirmative the bill is passed, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. Passed by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 327 - 93 (Roll No. 184).

    Source: Veto

  48. 20 June 1990

    President

    The Chair announced the unfinished business to be the consideration of the veto.

    Source: President

  49. 21 June 1990

    Vote

    Failed of passage in Senate over veto: Failed of passage in Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 65-35. Record Vote No: 121.

    Source: Veto

  50. 21 June 1990

    Vote

    Failed of passage in Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 65-35. Record Vote No: 121.

    Source: Veto

  51. 21 June 1990

    Floor

    Considered by Senate.

    Source: Floor

  52. 25 June 1990

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

Votes

21 June 1990 · Veto Sustained · On Overriding the Veto H.R. 20 · Veto Sustained · Official source

Yes 65 · No 35 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

10 May 1990 · Bill Passed · On Passage of the Bill H.R. 20 · Bill Passed · Official source

Yes 67 · No 30 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 2

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Reported in House (text)

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN

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  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (text)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN

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  • Committee Discharged Senate (text)

    Committee Discharged Senate · EN

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 10 May 1990

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 17 April 1989

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  • Reported to House with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 13 April 1989

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 3 January 1989

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 312 sponsors and actors.

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Sources

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