What year was the Hatch Act passed, establishing restrictions on partisan political activity by federal employees?

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The Hatch Act was passed in 1939 to prevent federal employees from using their official positions and government resources to influence elections. The law emerged from concerns about political patronage and the spoils system, where elected officials rewarded supporters with government jobs and then pressured those workers to campaign. It was named after Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico who sponsored the legislation after scandals involving WPA workers being coerced into political activity during the 1938 midterms.

What year was the Hatch Act passed, establishing restrictions on partisan political activity by federal employees?

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