The United States Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius admits to violating a federal law called the Hatch Act when she made remarks in February about the reelection of President Barack Obama. Sebelius is in the public eye mainly because she is the woman in charge of implementing the health care plan created by The President, known colloquially as Obamacare.
Sebelius said that progress on gay rights could be lost immediately if President Obama is not reelected this November, during a Human Rights Campaign meeting. This violates a law that restricts the political remarks and activities of government employees. She also warned that North Carolina needed a democratic governor, presumably for the same reason, as the Human Rights Campaign represents the LGBT community.
Officials said that her remarks were a violation of Federal Law. "Secretary Sebelius violated the Hatch Act by making extemporaneous political remarks." They referred the issue to President Obama. It isn't likely that Kathleen Sebelius will face disciplinary action, especially if The President is the one that is deciding her punishment. However, it is likely that the Republicans will make something out of it.
Sebelius wrote a letter to the Office of Special Counsel, which investigates violations like The Hatch Act. In her letter she admitted fault. "The report correctly states that I have acknowledged that the statements that you have identified were a mistake." While this seems like a minor issue at best, it is likely that the Republican Party will find some way to use this to try to make Obama look bad, as they are very vocal in their opposition of equal rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.
Photo: US Mission Geneva | Flickr.com
Gabriel Legend covers a wide range of breaking news for Gather. He writes fiction as well, with his first novel coming out in 2013. You can follow on Twitter at @GabrielLegend1 or contact him directly here.
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Comments: 26
No, it's not a criminal act. It's a violation of a federal regulation. Violators don't face criminal charges, don't appear before a criminal court, and can't be imprisoned or fined. They are dealt with by the Merit Systems Protection Board, an agency of the Executive branch, and penalties for violation are limited to temporary suspension (w/o pay) or permanent removal from the position.
So much for any wingnuts' "Caged Heat" fever dreams.
Hmmm?
Can you say double standard? I knew you could.