PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Mar 3, 1993
Federal Employees Political Activities Act of 1993 - Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of any election. Prohibits the use of official authority to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or influence: (1) any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right 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: (1) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or to refrain from voting; (2) soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting; or (3) giving or handing over a political contribution to a superior. Prohibits an employee from 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, official, or contractor. Prohibits an employee from getting involved with political contributions with any person who: (1) has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business relations with the employing agency; (2) conducts operations 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 to prescribe regulations exempting employees from the prohibition in certain family situations or when circumstances indicate no adverse effect on Government integrity or public confidence in such integrity. 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. Allows employees to seek nomination for election, or election, to any Federal or State-wide elective public office, subject to certain party restrictions. Retains current prohibitions and penalties against political activities by employees of the Federal Election Commission. 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. Applies this Act to postal employees and employees of the Postal Rate Commission.
People & committees
Rep. Clay, William (Bill) [D-MO-1] · D–MO
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 103-94.
Became Public Law No: 103-94.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 339 - 85 (Roll No. 437). (consideration: CR H6814-6827)
House roll call 437 · Individual votesResolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 339 - 85 (Roll No. 437).(consideration: CR H6814-6827)
House roll call 437 · Individual votesThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 251, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion.
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 251, the House moved to agree to the Senate amendment.
Rule H. Res. 251 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 251 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 20. Upon the adoption of this resolution, it shall be in order to take from the Speaker's table the bill H.R. 20, with the Senate amendment thereto, and to concur in the Senate amendment. The Senate amendment shall be considered as read.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate in lieu of S. 185 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 68-31. Record Vote No: 201.
Senate roll call 201 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 185 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 68-31. Record Vote No: 201.
Senate roll call 201 · Individual votesSenate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 185 amended.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8952)
Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 20.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 333 - 86 (Roll no. 52).
House roll call 52 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 333 - 86 (Roll no. 52).
House roll call 52 · Individual votesThe House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 20.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Esteban Edward Torres to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 106 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 20 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 106. (consideration: CR H985-997)
Rule H. Res. 106 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 106 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 20 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 275 - 142 (Roll No. 42).
House roll call 42 · Individual votesFailed of passage/not agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 275 - 142 (Roll No. 42).
House roll call 42 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H839)
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Clay objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed until Feb. 24. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H759-771)
Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 6.
Reported by the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. H. Rept. 103-16.
Reported by the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. H. Rept. 103-16.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H595)
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.20 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.20 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.20 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.20 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.