Support of Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and Federal Anti-Lobby Statutes

A memorandum was issued by the Regional Director to Lower Colorado Region Supervisors of the Bureau of Reclamation directing support of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The Regional Director asked each supervisor in the Region to comply with the directive regardless of personal preferences or political opinions. The question was raised whether the Regional Director's memorandum violated federal anti-lobbying statutes. GAO held that a federal agency may urge its employees to support publicly the administration's policy. On the other hand, although the President directed Department heads to make the most of public appearance opportunities to demonstrate the Administration's commitment to the ERA, the expenditure of appropriated funds for the sole purpose of mounting a campaign in favor of ratification of the ERA would not be authorized. It would be permitted, however, for advocacy of ERA to be included in speeches given as incidental to the performance of other agency functions.