(b) An employee must not, either directly or indirectly, use appropriated funds to initiate or support grassroots lobbying efforts aimed at influencing constituents to urge a Member of Congress to favor or oppose pending legislation, subject to such exceptions as are recognized to 18 U.S.C. 1913 or similar appropriation riders. This requirement does not apply to the official handling, through the proper channels, of matters relating to legislation in which the Department has an interest. Moreover, when authorized by an employee's supervisor, an employee is not prohibited from:

1. (1) Testifying, on request, as a representative of the Department on pending legislation or proposals before congressional committees; or
2. (2) Assisting congressional committees in drafting bills or reports on request, when it is clear that the employee is serving solely as a technical expert under the direction of committee leadership.