WASHINGTON – A House Oversight and Government Reform Committee subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2008 to examine legislation introduced by U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) to modernize the Hatch Act.  Stupak wrote to Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Congressman Tom Davis (R-Va.), the committee’s top Republican, in June requesting a hearing be held as soon as possible to review H.R. 4272 and the impact the Hatch Act has on rural communities.

“In order to provide relief to residents of northern Michigan and others throughout the country, I have introduced legislation to establish an exemption in the Hatch Act for rural communities,” Stupak said.  “I am pleased the chairman has agreed to a hearing on this matter so that he and other members of the committee can fully investigate the chilling effect the Hatch Act has on public service in rural America.”

Several local officials and residents in northern Michigan have been affected by Hatch Act restrictions on participating in partisan elections.  Under current law, the Hatch Act restricts the political activity of employees of the executive branch of the federal government and some state and local employees who work in connection with federally funded programs.  All officers and employees subject to the Hatch Act are restricted from soliciting, accepting or receiving political campaign contributions, and they may not use their official authority to influence the result of an election.  These individuals are also not allowed to run for elective office in a partisan election.

H.R. 4272 would provide an exemption to the Hatch Act for individuals who seek office in counties with populations less than 100,000.  This would allow qualified candidates the opportunity to serve their community without having to be concerned about where they are employed.

“I am concerned about the confusion caused by the way this law is applied to employees who work in connection with federally funded programs,” Stupak said.  “Public service is important in every community.  Unfortunately, the Hatch Act, in its current form, severely limits individuals’ ability to serve in local office.”

H.R. 4272 has been referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.  The committee must act on the bill before it can advance to the full House for consideration. 

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NOTE:  An MP3 radio actuality is available for this release at http://www.house.gov/list/hearing/mi01_stupak/20080904hatchact.mp3 or by contacting Nick Choate at 202-225-4735 or nick.choate@mail.house.gov.