Tillis, Colleagues Demand Answers on Potential Hatch Act Violation by Education Secretary Cardona

Aug 5 2024

Tillis, Colleagues Demand Answers on Potential Hatch Act Violation by Education Secretary Cardona

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) recently sent a letter to Department of Education Inspector General Sandra D. Bruce calling on her to investigate Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona over a potential violation of the Hatch Act and other federal laws. Secretary Cardona recently sent a letter to student loan borrowers regarding the Biden-Harris administration's student loan bailout scheme which included partisan attacks against Republicans.<_o3a_p>

"In July, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona sent an official letter to student loan borrowers regarding the Biden-Harris administration's Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. The letter, which was sent from an official Department email account, displayed the Secretary's name in the 'from' line, and contained his handwritten signature, was overtly political and may violate Department policy and various federal laws," the senators wrote.

"As you know, the Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from 'us[ing] [their] official authority or influencefor the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election.' According to OSC guidance, this limitation on political activity includes "activity directed at the success or failure of a political party. 'Likewise, the Anti-Lobbying Act prohibits the unauthorized use of taxpayer funds 'to influence in any manner . . . an official of any government' to favor or oppose any law or policy. The Purpose Statute prohibits the use of appropriated funds on any object other than those 'for which the appropriations were made except as otherwise provided by law.' Finally, the Anti-Deficiency Act prohibits the expenditure of unappropriated taxpayer dollars," the senators continued.

"The Biden-Harris administration should not use taxpayer dollars for transparently political attacks on Republicans. As we are now in the midst of a presidential election, we appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and request interim updates on the status of your investigation," the senators concluded.

Text of the full letter is available HERE.

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