What is TEPAC?

TEPAC stands for the Treasury Employees Political Action Committee; to build power and protection through political action. It is the political arm of NTEU and is a Federal PAC which allows NTEU to support members of Congress who work to protect and defend the rights of Federal employees and retirees.

Why is TEPAC necessary?

Congress has the power to legislate our jobs, our benefits, and our future. Per Federal election law, NTEU cannot use dues money to donate to political campaigns; therefore, TEPAC. TEPAC can expend voluntary contributions it receives to donate to supportive candidates and provides a Congressional vehicle with which to be heard on issues of importance to Federal employees.

Federal law prohibits NTEU from using union dues money for political contributions.

TEPAC collects voluntary contributions to finance its activities.

How are TEPAC Funds spent?

TEPAC contributes funds to candidates for Federal office;

100% of the money received by TEPAC goes to political candidates who support Federal employees; contributions are not based upon party affiliation;

Candidates may spend the money for television and radio ads, bumper stickers and buttons, campaign staff, yard signs, and campaign related expense.

Does TEPAC submit an annual report to the FEC?

All contributions to Federal candidates of elected office are reported to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

All of the FEC reports can be viewed online at www.fec.gov

A list of candidates receiving TEPAC support is available at qny time from the National Office of NTEU.

TEPAC contributes funds to selected candidates…

NTEU exercises great care in deciding who should receive TEPAC funds.

If the candidate is an incumbent, the decision is based upon:

Candidate’s voting record on NTEU and Federal employee issues;
Relevant leadership or committee assignment; does the incumbent sit on a committee that has jurisdiction over NTEU issues?
Relationship between candidate and local NTEU chapters; has the incumbent been helpful on issues of importance to NTEU?
NTEU member’s recommendation; is the candidate and his or her office accessible to NTEU members?

If the candidate is a challenger with no prior congressional experience, the decision is based on:

A personal interview with the candidate;
The responses to a NTEU questionnaire indicating they support Federal employee issues and Federal employee retirement issues;
What attempts the candidate has made to establish a relationship with local NTEU chapters;
If applicable, candidate’s record from state or local office;
NTEU member’s recommendation;
Can the candidate win the election?

How does NTEU raise money for TEPAC?

The Hatch Act Reform Law of 1993 allows NTEU members to solicit fellow NTEU members for TEPAC contributions off Federal property. Mail solicitations and ads are very productive ways to raise money for TEPAC. Payment may be made by credit card, check, cash, money order, and by payroll deduction. NTEU members complete a Form SF-1199A and allow their contribution to be sent directly to TEPAC. When signing a Form SF-1199A, the employee must sign an “Employee Disclaimer form” which states the contribution is a voluntary contribution.

PLEASE NOTE: The act of completing a Form SF-1199A on Federal property and physically walking it to your personnel office is a violation of the Hatch Act. Please complete this form offsite and send it to the TEPAC director at NTEU’s National Office to avoid breaking the law!

The National NTEU website contains additional TEPAC information and forms. The Hatch ACT prohibits Federal employees from accessing this information on a government computer or on government time.

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This page was last updated on 26 of Jan. 2007

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