Why Federal Workers Can't Volunteer to Work for Free

Along with the closure of today's government, thousands of "non-mandatory" Federal officials were dismissed. They are not paid and they are not working. But more importantly, they are not allowed to work. No way

Tweets can not be sent from Federal Twitter accounts. You can not enter the office to keep up with expired clerical work. Technically, I can not even check email. If you truly believe in your organization's mission and there is nothing better than to do today, you can not volunteer to work for free. You must stay home.

The reason is that the Defects Prevention Law of 1884 was explained by the Ministry of Justice in the later years of Carter and then improved by the OMB and other relevant agencies. The basic logic of the "Anti-deficiency Prevention Law" is that administrative authorities are not allowed to take action to create financial obligations for federal governments that have not yet received funds from Congress. In other words, the Navy can not order large quantities of ships, tells Congress that money is needed to pay the ship when the bill expires, and the collapse of the US military's overall reputation Can be prevented.

The general doctrine does not always mean that "invalid law" applies to this approach. Early in the 1970s, a series of mistakes in the accident was caused by the difference between the House and the House on abortion. What happened then was basically what the "necessary" workers are doing now - people continue to work, but they have not paid salaries. Then, when Congress resolves that difference, it makes payment for refund. In a sense, this makes allocation too "too easy", justice changes its interpretation, and now Federal officials can not work. Unless they have to work, they are essential.

Why will not you give up? Some Federal officials may resign and some have already resigned. However, many workers can not leave and should not do so. Federal workers are the lifeblood of institutions and they have experiences to keep running the government or to slow down in such extreme situations as they think they are needed. If a worker withdraws from resistance, she will be open to more obedient and inexperienced employees. Federal workers should support democratic erosion and oppose it. Internal workers who can take risks may be able to draw public attention to the problem. Internal staff may encrypt the system and slow down the process. In the next 4 years, if federal employees conducting background surveys can work effectively and quickly, forcibly repatriated troops can be realized.

Federal officials are in their own position at such uncertain times and have the capacity to expand and support the American democracy. Professional Federal workers have different benefits from regular voters. Under the guidance of the Democratic Party and Republican President, federal government officials have been working throughout their careers. In view of policy changes in the new government, federal officials have very different views on whether the work they are required to do is "normal".