Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73
§909 Administration on nonpolitical basis; dismissal of officers or employees for violating provision
Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 31— - RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELEPHONE SERVICE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - RURAL ELECTRIFICATION › § 909
Summary
The program must be nonpolitical. Hiring and promotion must be based on ability, not on party or political views. If the Secretary breaks this rule, the President must remove them. If someone chosen by the Secretary breaks it, the Secretary must remove them.
Full Legal Text
Title 7, §909
Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
This chapter shall be administered entirely on a nonpartisan basis, and in the appointment of officials, the selection of employees, and in the promotion of any such officials or employees, no political test or qualification shall be permitted or given consideration, but all such appointments and promotions shall be given and made on the basis of merit and efficiency. If the Secretary herein provided for is found by the President of the United States to be guilty of a violation of this section, he shall be removed from office by the President, and any appointee or selection of officials or employees made by the Secretary who is found guilty of a violation of this chapter shall be removed by the Secretary.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–354 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” wherever appearing. 1949—Act Oct. 28, 1949, inserted “title I,” in credit of act May 20, 1936.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 909
Title 7 — Agriculture
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73