Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I rise in strong support of the Hatch Act Modernization Act. Senator Akaka and I introduced this legislation, along with a number of our distinguished colleagues on both sides of the aisle. The bill incorporates recommendations for reform that the Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner sent to Congress last year. I want to thank Senator Akaka not only for his work on this bill, but for everything he has done for Federal workers. I would also like to take a moment to thank my good friend Representative Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the National Security Subcommittee, for his very hard work in support of this legislation, as well as Chairman Issa for helping to bring this bill to the floor today. This legislation makes commonsense reforms to the Hatch Act that are much needed. The Hatch Act was passed to ensure that Federal Government employees work on behalf of the American people rather than whatever political party is in power. The law works well most of the time, but it has had some unintended consequences. Currently, the Hatch Act prohibits State and local government employees from running for partisan political office if they work on programs that receive Federal funding. This can and has led to some unfair and absurd results. For example, Matthew Arlen, a transit officer in Philadelphia, was barred from running for his school board because his canine partner was paid for by a Federal grant.…”