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EO 12896Executive OrderClinton · D

Executive Order 12896

Amending the Civil Service Rules Concerning Political Activity

Federal WorkforceFederal WorkforceDemocracy & GovernanceDemocracy & Governance

In simple terms

This executive order revokes Civil Service Rule IV, section 4.1 (5 CFR Part 4), implementing changes from Public Law 103-94 (the Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993). The order took effect immediately upon signing, removing certain restrictions on political activity by federal employees.

Federal Register 59 FR 5515
No PDF available for this document.

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 59 FR 5515

    Federal Register

Key directives

No discrete directives extracted.

Prior policy

  • revokeCivil Service Rule IV, section 4.1 (5 CFR Part 4)

What to expect

Immediate

  • Revocation of Civil Service Rule IV, section 4.1 takes effect
  • Removal of prior political activity restrictions on covered federal employees

Near term (90d)

  • Federal agencies and OSC adjust to revised Hatch Act enforcement framework

Long term

  • Altered landscape for federal employee political participation in elections

Risks & tensions

None flagged.

Executive Order 12896: Amending the Civil Service Rules Concerning Political Activity · Executive Orders