Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Rubio, demanding records related to the Department's violation of the Hatch Act, when internal and external Department communications – including its website – were used to promote partisan, political messaging related to the government shutdown.

“Recent reporting and communications suggest that the Department of State has disseminated partisan messages regarding the recent lapse in appropriations, in potential violation of the Hatch Act and federal prohibitions on the use of appropriated funds for propaganda or lobbying purposes," said the ranking members.

“Moreover, we are greatly concerned that public-facing communications, such as content posted on the Department’s official website, may also include partisan language inconsistent with the Department’s obligation to remain nonpartisan in official communications. These actions may constitute a violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits executive branch employees from engaging in political activity while on duty or using official authority to influence an election or partisan policy outcomes."

A PDF copy of the letter can be found here.