§ 610. Coercion of political activity

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.

(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.)

Prior Provisions

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 441b of Title 2, The Congress.

Amendments

Amendments

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

Effective Date

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.