Rep. Cummings to federal employees: Call me

Rep. Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is encouraging federal employees to reach out to Congress if they are alarmed by the Trump administration's policies.

"I want to make sure all of those federal employees who have anything they want to say to Congress, because there is some confusion as to whether they can talk to us, I'm telling you the law protects you and I will do every single thing in my power to make sure you're protected," the Maryland Democrat said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Wednesday. "Call me. I want to talk to you."


Reports that employees at several agencies, including the EPA, were asked to limit their public communications have riled members of Congress, especially Democrats, who hope to play an oversight role during the Trump administration.

Amid a public outcry, several federal agencies, including the Agriculture Department, have backtracked on their restrictions this week.