First Thing: Federal agencies blaming Democrats for shutdown in possible breach of law

Actions could be a violation of legislation that prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity. Plus, how a plant-rich diet could prevent 40,000 early deaths a day globally

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Good morning.

An increasing number of federal agencies and staff are explicitly blaming Democrats for the government shutdown in possible violation of a law that bans federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.

What is the law prohibiting partisan political activity? The 1939 Hatch Act restricts federal employees from engaging in political activities while on the job. The Maryland representative Jamie Raskin, a top Democrat and a constitutional lawyer, said messaging had been a naked violation" of the law.

What are the sticking points? A key one is the demand that Hamas disarm, according to a source close to the organization, especially without substantial progress towards a two-state solution.