EPA Chief Zeldin Faces Hatch Act Questions
Watchdog groups are questioning if EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin violated the Hatch Act during recent campaign travel.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Elections
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EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is facing scrutiny over his travel to battleground districts ahead of the midterm elections. Watchdog groups are investigating whether his appearances with congressional candidates violate the Hatch Act.
Why it matters
The Hatch Act places restrictions on the political activities of federal cabinet officials to ensure taxpayer resources are not used for campaigning. Critics argue the EPA's involvement in these events risks blurring the lines between government duties and partisan politics.
The Hatch Act, an 87-year-old law, limits political activity by federal employees, while a separate $20 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign has drawn attention to agency resource usage. The legal classification of these specific campaign stops remains under investigation.
The players
Lee Zeldin
He is the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency responsible for overseeing federal environmental policy.
Scott Perry
He is a member of the United States House of Representatives representing a district in Pennsylvania.
Ashley Hinson
She is a member of the United States House of Representatives currently representing a district in Iowa.
Derrick Van Orden
He is a member of the United States House of Representatives representing a district in Wisconsin.
Campaign Legal Center
This is a nonpartisan organization that advocates for transparency and accountability in the United States political system.
The details
Administrator Lee Zeldin visited Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Wisconsin to appear alongside candidates including Representatives Scott Perry, Ashley Hinson, and Derrick Van Orden. The EPA facilitated these appearances at local businesses and farms, issuing official press releases for the events.
Timeline
Zeldin visited Pennsylvania with Rep. Scott Perry on October 15, 2026.
Zeldin toured battleground districts in Iowa and Wisconsin during the week of October 12, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents argue that the use of federal agency press resources for campaign-adjacent travel compromises the neutrality of the EPA under the Hatch Act. Supporters or allies of the administration maintain that such visits are legitimate efforts to communicate agency policy to rural and industrial communities.
For taxpayers, this inquiry highlights how federal resources are allocated during election cycles and whether agencies are maintaining impartiality. The outcome could lead to stricter internal guidelines regarding how officials conduct outreach in the weeks preceding national votes.
The takeaway
The Hatch Act remains a foundational guardrail for preventing the politicization of federal government operations. Ensuring that cabinet officials distinguish clearly between their public duties and campaign participation is a central concern for government transparency advocates.
Further reading
For more on the regulatory environment surrounding upcoming votes, visit our Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SEJ.
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