An Act to amend title 18 of the United States Code to prohibit deprivation of employment or other benefit for political contribution, and for other purposes.
Public Law 94-453 · H.R. 11722 · 94th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Gerald Ford (R) on Oct 2, 1976 · Government Operations and Politics
Sponsor: Rep. John Roush (D-IN-4)
Cosponsors (18): Rep. William Hungate, Rep. James Mann,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Redefines the crime of deprivation of employment or other benefit because of political activity to include within the scope of political activity, an individual's refusing to make a contribution of a thing of value (including services) for the benefit of any candidate or any political party. Defines "candidate," "election," and "employee" for purposes of this Act.
Makes it a Federal crime to deprive or threaten to deprive an individual of any employment or other benefit, provided in whole or in part by any Act of Congress appropriating funds for relief purposes, on account of political affiliation, race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.
Subjects an individual guilty of either offense under this Act to a fine of not more than $10,000, imprisonment for one year, or both. Amends 18 U.S.C. 601; Adds 18 U.S.C. 246
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 14 actions.
- Oct 2, 1976Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public law 94-453.
- Sep 28, 1976PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Sep 27, 1976PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Sep 22, 1976Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendments.
- Sep 21, 1976FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- Sep 16, 1976CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Judiciary Committee
- Apr 6, 1976CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
- Apr 5, 1976FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, roll call #162 (358-3).House roll call 162
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- Mar 30, 1976CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Judiciary Committee
- Feb 4, 1976CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Judiciary Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.