Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate federal agencies for posting partisan messages during the government shutdown, citing potential violations of federal appropriations law.

Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate federal agencies for posting partisan messages during the government shutdown, citing potential violations of federal appropriations law.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in a post on its website and reposted by HUD Secretary Scott Turner, declared that the "Radical Left" would "shut down the government" unless they "received their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands."

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in a post on its website and reposted by HUD Secretary Scott Turner, declared that the "Radical Left" would "shut down the government" unless they "received their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands."

Multiple federal agencies, including Agriculture, Justice, Treasury and the Small Business Administration, reportedly posted similar partisan shutdown messaging on their official websites, while some directed employees to use political out-of-office messages.

Multiple federal agencies, including Agriculture, Justice, Treasury and the Small Business Administration, reportedly posted similar partisan shutdown messaging on their official websites, while some directed employees to use political out-of-office messages.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture displayed a banner stating Senate Democrats voted 14 times against reopening government and were withholding services "in exchange for healthcare for illegals and gender mutilation," raising Hatch Act concerns.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture displayed a banner stating Senate Democrats voted 14 times against reopening government and were withholding services "in exchange for healthcare for illegals and gender mutilation," raising Hatch Act concerns.

State agencies took different approaches to communicate pauses in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, with Nebraska blaming Senate Democrats and Illinois initially referring to the Republican federal government shutdown before softening the language.

State agencies took different approaches to communicate pauses in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, with Nebraska blaming Senate Democrats and Illinois initially referring to the Republican federal government shutdown before softening the language.

Federal law prohibits agencies from using appropriated funding to generate publicity designed to influence Congress on legislation. Violations typically also breach the Antideficiency Act, according to the Democrats, citing GAO findings.

Federal law prohibits agencies from using appropriated funding to generate publicity designed to influence Congress on legislation. Violations typically also breach the Antideficiency Act, according to the Democrats, citing GAO findings.

Warren Seeks Probe of Agencies' Partisan Shutdown Messages

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Warren Seeks Probe of Agencies' Partisan Shutdown Messages

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