Politics & Government

Did the FAA Push Staff to Vote For Democrats? Read It Here & Tell Us What You Think

Read the letter and share your reaction in our comments section.

Imagine being told the future of your job depends on how you chose to vote in the upcoming November election.

According to the government transparency group "Cause of Action," that's exactly what John J. Hickey, deputy associate administrator for aviation safety at the FAA, and Raymond Towles, deputy director of flight standards field operations told employees at a May 23, 2012 staff meeting in Renton.

The two reportedly told subordinates, “if the Republicans win office [their] jobs may be effected [sic]…if the Democrats win office then [their] jobs would not be effected [sic],” according to a statement from Cause of Action. Hickey and Towles are also said to have made similar comments at other mandatory meetings.

Find out what's happening in Bellevuewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If the allegations are true, the FAA may be in violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits Executive agency employees from engaging in political activity intended to affect the result of an election.  

Cause of Action has sent a request for investigation to Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Find out what's happening in Bellevuewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Click on the link, above, or the pdf in this article to read the letter, and then share your reaction in the comment section below. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Bellevue