Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 76.djvu/1004

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PUBLIC LAW 87-829~OCT. 15, 1962

[76 STAT.

Public Law 87-829 October 15, 1962 [H. R. 6691]

President and successors. Protection, 69 Stat. 80.

Penalty for threats. Definitions.

62 Stat. 672.

62 Stat. 677, 678. 18 USC 871877.

65 Stat. 122.

AN ACT To amend title 18, United States Code, sections 871 and 3056, to provide penalties for threats against the successors to the Presidency, to authorize their protection by the Secret Service, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That title 18, United States Code, section 871, is amended to read as follows: "§ 871. Threats against President and successors to the Presidency " (a) Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits for conveyance in the mail or for a delivery from any post office or by any letter carrier any letter, paper, writing, print, missive, or document containing any threat to take the life of or to inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States, the President-elect, the Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President of the United States, or the Vice President-elect, or knowingly and willfully otherwise makes any such threat against the President, Presidentelect, Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President, or Vice President-elect, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. " (b) The terms 'President-elect' and 'Vice President-elect' as used in this section shall mean such persons as are the apparent successful candidates for the offices of President and Vice President, respectively, as ascertained from the results of the general elections held-to determine the electors of President and Vice President in accordance with title 3, United States Code, sections 1 and 2. The phrase 'other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President' as used in this section shall mean the person next in the order of succession to act as President in accordance with title 3, United States Code, sections 19 and 20." SEC. 2. The analysis of chapter 41 of title 18, United States Code, immediately preceding section 871 of such title is amended by deleting "871. Threats against President, President-elect, and Vice President." and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "871. Threats against President and successors to the Presidency." SEC. 3. The first independent clause of title 18, United States Code, section 3056, is amended to read as follows: "§ 3056. Secret Service powers "Subject to the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, the United States Secret Service, Treasury Department, is authorized to protect the person of the President of the United States, the members of his immediate family, the President-elect, the Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President, and the Vice President-elect; protect a former President, at his request, for a reasonable period after he leaves office;". Approved October 15, 1962.

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