[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 45, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 45CFR73.735-302]

[Page 164-165]
 
                        TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE
 
                           AND HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 73--STANDARDS OF CONDUCT--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart C--Conduct on the Job
 
Sec. 73.735-302  Support of department programs.

    (a) When a Department program is based on law, Executive Order or 
regulation, every employee has a positive obligation to make it function 
as efficiently and economically as possible and to support it as long as 
it is a part of recognized public policy. An employee may, therefore, 
properly make an address explaining and interpreting such a program, 
citing its achievements, defending it against uninformed or unjust 
criticism, or soliciting views for improving it.
    (b) An employee shall not, either directly or indirectly, use 
appropriated funds to influence, or attempt to influence, a Member of 
Congress to favor or oppose legislation. However, when authorized by his 
or her supervisor, an employee is not prohibited from:
    (1) Testifying, on request, as a representative of the Department on 
pending legislation or proposals before Congressional Committees; or
    (2) Assisting Congressional Committees in drafting bills or reports 
on request, when it is clear that the employee is serving solely as a 
technical expert under the direction of committee leadership.
    (c) All employees shall be familiar with regulations and published 
instructions that relate to their official duties and responsibilities 
and shall comply with those directives. This includes carrying out 
proper orders from officials authorized to give them.

[[Page 165]]

    (d) Employees are required to assist the Inspector General and other 
investigative officials in the performance of their duties or functions. 
This requirement includes the giving of statements or evidence to 
investigators of the Inspector General's office or other HHS 
investigators authorized to conduct investigations into potential 
violations.