PUBLIC LAWS ENACTED DURING THE THIRD SESSION OF THE SEVENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, January3, 1940, and termi- nated on Friday, January3, 1941 FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, President; JOHN N. GARNER, Vice President; KEY PITTMAN, 1 President of the Senate pro tempore; MORRIS SHEPPARD, Acting President of the Senate pro tempore, July 25, 1940; ALBEN W. BARKLBY, Acting President of the Senate pro tempore, August 31-September 5, 1940; WILLIAM H. KING, Acting President of the Senate pro tempore, September 18, October 14-November 18, and elected President of the Senate pro tempore November 19, 1940; KENNETH MCKELLAR, Acting President of the Senate pro tempore, October 9-13, 1940; WILLIAM B. BANKHEAD, 2 Speaker of the House of Representatives; SAM RAYBURN, Speaker of the House of Representatives pro tempore, February 7-19, April 2- May 6, September 11-15, and elected Speaker of the House of Representatives September 16, 1940; JOHN W. MCCORMACK, Speaker of the House of Represent- atives pro tempore, December 5-18, 1940; WILLIAM P. COLE, Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives pro tempore, December 19, 1940-January 2, 1941. [CHAPTER 1] AN ACT ANJanaryA ,13940 To provide for the protection of witnesses appearing before any department, [H. B. 6832] independent establishment, or other agency of the United States, or the Con- [Public, No. 401] gress of the United States. Be it enacted by the Senate and Bouse of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Criminal Criminal Code, Code of the United States be amended by inserting therein a new section immediately following section 135 (U.S. C., title 18, sec. 241) to be known as section 135 (a) (U. S. C., title 18, sec. 241 (a)) and reading as follows: "SEC. 135. (a) That whoever corruptly, or by threats or force, or witnesses before by any threatening letter or communication, shall endeavor to influ- goesVtrm aoni ence, intimidate, or impede any witness in any proceeding pending Oommt etc before any department, independent establishment, board, commis- sion, or other agency of the United States, or in connection with any inquiry or investigation being had by either House, or any com- mittee of either House, or any joint committee of the Congress of the United States, or who corruptly or by threats or force, or by Obstruction of ad- any threatening letter or communication shall influence, obstruct, or m ini tr ato of law . impede, or endeavor to influence, obstruct, or impede the due and proper administration of the law under which such proceeding is being had before such department, independent establishment, board, commission, or other agency of the United States, or the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry under which such inquiry or investigation is being had by either House, or any committee of either House or any joint committee of the Congress of the United States shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more Penalty. than one year, or both." Approved, January 13, 1940. D [Died November 10, 1940, 12:35 a. m.] [Died September 15, 1940, 1:35 a. m .] 13
�
