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Hatch Act
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Hatch Act

United States [1939]
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Last Updated: • Article History
Ex-FEMA worker who directed staff to avoid homes with Trump signs violated Hatch Act, agency says • Feb. 11, 2025, 5:44 PM ET (AP)
Judge orders fired head of whistleblower agency reinstated while fight continues over Trump removal • Feb. 10, 2025, 9:43 PM ET (AP)
With firings and lax enforcement, Trump moving to dismantle government's public integrity guardrails • Feb. 10, 2025, 9:24 PM ET (AP)

Hatch Act, (Aug. 2, 1939; amended July 1940), measure enacted by the U.S. Congress, aimed at eliminating corrupt practices in national elections. It was sponsored by Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico following disclosures that Works Progress Administration officials were using their positions to win votes for the Democratic Party. The Hatch Act forbade intimidation or bribery of voters and restricted political-campaign activities by federal employees. As amended, it also severely limited contributions by individuals to political campaigns and spending by campaign committees.