Legality of Memorandum Directing Support of Equal Rights Amendment

The legality of a memorandum which was issued to Lower Colorado Region Supervisors of the Bureau of Reclamation by their Regional Director directing their support of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was questioned. GAO decided that no Federal law was violated in this case. An agency has the right to communicate with the public and with legislators regarding its policies and activities. If the policy of an agency is affected by pending legislation, the officials of the agency may refer to the legislation and may show either support or opposition. The espousal of the ERA should be only incidental to the performance of other agency functions, however, and an agency's funds may not be expended for the sole purpose of mounting a campaign in favor of ERA ratification.