§ 610. Coercion of political activity

Statutory text

It shall be unlawful for any person to intimidate, threaten, command, or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, command, or coerce, any employee of the Federal Government as defined in section 7322(1) of title 5, United States Code, to engage in, or not to engage in, any political activity, including, but not limited to, voting or refusing to vote for any candidate or measure in any election, making or refusing to make any political contribution, or working or refusing to work on behalf of any candidate. Any person who violates this section shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1993
Pub. L. 103–94 § 4(c)(1) · 107 Stat. 1001
Enacted · 18 U.S.C. § 610
Added Pub. L. 103–94, § 4(c)(1), Oct. 6, 1993, 107 Stat. 1005
Source evidence
Code source credit
Added Pub. L. 103–94, § 4(c)(1), Oct. 6, 1993, 107 Stat. 1005
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, relating to elections and political activities is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section:
1996
Economic Espionage Act of 1996
Pub. L. 104–294 title VI § 601(a)(1) · 110 Stat. 3488
Substituted · 18 U.S.C. § 610
Pub. L. 104–294 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 104–294 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) Sections 152, 153, 154, and 610 of title 18, United States Code, are each amended by striking “fined not more than $5,000” and inserting “fined under this title”.

2 of 2 references resolved to an enrolled provision

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 610, acts June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 723; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 10, 63 Stat. 90; Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 655, § 20(c), 65 Stat. 718; Feb. 7, 1972, Pub. L. 92–225, title II, § 205, 86 Stat. 10; Oct. 15, 1974, Pub. L. 93–443, title I, § 101(e)(1), 88 Stat. 1267, prohibited campaign contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations, and labor organizations, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 94–283, title II, § 201(a), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 496. See section 30118 of Title 52, Voting and Elections.

Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–294 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date; Savings Provision

Section effective 120 days after Oct. 6, 1993, and no provision of Pub. L. 103–94 to affect any proceedings with respect to which charges were filed on or before 120 days after Oct. 6, 1993, with orders to be issued in such proceedings and appeals taken therefrom as if Pub. L. 103–94 had not been enacted, see section 12 of Pub. L. 103–94, set out as a note under section 7321 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Credits

1993–1996 · 2 acts

1993Added Pub. L. 103–94, § 4(c)(1), Oct. 6, 1993, 107 Stat. 1005
1996amended Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 601(a)(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3497.

Show as published

(Added Pub. L. 103–94, § 4(c)(1), Oct. 6, 1993, 107 Stat. 1005; amended Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 601(a)(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3497.)