Department of Labor officials testifying tomorrow before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee might want to be ready to explain the photo above, which appears on DOL’s Flickr site.
The unidentified individual in the photo with the bullhorn is wearing an Obama for president button. The accompanying caption states:
“08 March 2012 – Alabama – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis marches in the 47th Anniversary of the Reenactment of the Selma to Montgomery March.
“*Official Department of Labor Photograph***
“This official Department of Labor photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, and/or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement of the Secretary, or the Department of Labor.”
The Examiner has requested an explanation from DOL’s Office of Public Affairs. Multiple federal statutes and regulations bar government workers from using government resources for partisan political purposes.
Meanwhile, Rick Manning, a former DOL public affairs chief of staff during the Bush administration, was none too impressed with the photo, telling the Examiner that “It is incredible that Solis’ public affairs people continually flout the law separating government and political functions.”
