Actions by Congress and the President directly affect Local 1998 members and their families.  News about legislation, laws, and regulations that impact the federal worker will be posted on this page.  Here are some important links: 

NFFE endorses H.R. 5752 - The U.S. passport should be "made in the U.S.A."  

Passport Integrity Page - Help Maintain & Enhance the Integrity of the U.S. Passport Issuance Process. 

IAM's Political & Legislative Activity Page

NFFE's Legislative Update Page

So-called "National Security Personnel System" (NSPS) - Information on this issue facing DoD workers.  

U.S. Office of Special Counsel: employees may contact Congress regarding concerns about passport issuance process

On January 24, 2007 the United States Office of Special Counsel (OSC) issued an advisory legal opinion regarding whether employees of Passport Services are allowed under the Hatch Act to write letters to Congress expressing concerns about the integrity of the passport issuance process.  The OSC is "an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency" which has, among other responsibilities, the authority to issue advisory opinions that enable "individuals to determine whether contemplated political activities are permitted under the [Hatch] Act" (quoting from the OSC website).  The advisory opinion was requested by NFFE Local 1998.  The OSC summed up the request as follows: "Department of State employees would like to consider writing letters or personally visiting members of Congress to express your concerns about the passport issuance process".  In the opinion, the OSC stated that the "Hatch Act does not prohibit you or other Department of State employees from contacting members of Congress".   The OSC also noted that "the Hatch Act does not prohibit you from using official time to contact members of Congress about your concerns with the passport issuance process". 

Click here for the OSC's letter posted on the official OSC website (with the word "passport" and all names redacted): advisory legal opinion 

Click here for the OSC's letter posted on the NFFE Local 1998 website (this is the complete letter, nothing is redacted): complete advisory legal opinion

Legislative vs. Political Action

Many federal employees mistakenly believe that the law (especially the Hatch Act) prohibits them from engaging in any legislative or political activity.  That belief is not true.

First of all, legislative and political activity are not synonymous.  For example, contacting Congress about pay raises for all federal employees, or expressing concerns about the integrity of the passport issuance process, is - if done in a nonpartisan manner - not political (partisan) activity but rather legislative activity. 

Regarding political activity, bargaining unit employees of Passport Services are considered "employees who may engage in partisan activity".  Click on this link for a one-page explanation of what activities are permitted and what are prohibited for employees titled, "The Hatch Act and Federal Employees". 

Click on this link to read a 14-page publication issued by the OSC titled, "Political Activity and the Federal Employee".