Protection of Members of Congress, officers of Congress, and members of their families

2 U.S.C. § 1966

• Title: 2 — The Congress
• Chapter: SUBCHAPTER II—POWERS AND DUTIES

Text

(a) Authority of the Capitol Police
Subject to the direction of the Capitol Police Board, the United States Capitol Police is authorized to protect, in any area of the United States, the person of any Member of Congress, officer of the Congress, as defined in section 4101(b) of this title, and any member of the immediate family of any such Member or officer, if the Capitol Police Board determines such protection to be necessary.
(b) Detail of police
In carrying out its authority under this section, the Capitol Police Board, or its designee, is authorized, in accordance with regulations issued by the Board pursuant to this section, to detail, on a case-by-case basis, members of the United States Capitol Police to provide such protection as the Board may determine necessary under this section.
(c) Arrest of suspects
In the performance of their protective duties under this section, members of the United States Capitol Police are authorized (1) to make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony; and (2) to utilize equipment and property of the Capitol Police.
(d) Fines and penalties
Whoever knowingly and willfully obstructs, resists, or interferes with a member of the Capitol Police engaged in the performance of the protective functions authorized by this section, shall be fined not more than $300 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(e) Construction of provisions
Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to imply that the authority, duty, and function conferred on the Capitol Police Board and the United States Capitol Police are in lieu of or intended to supersede any authority, duty, or function imposed on any Federal department, agency, bureau, or other entity, or the Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia, involving the protection of any such Member, officer, or family member.
(f) "United States" defined
As used in this section, the term "United States" means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and territories and possessions of the United States.

History

(July 31, 1946, ch. 707, §9A, as added Pub. L. 97–143, §1(a), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1723.)

Editorial Notes

Editorial Notes

Codification
Section was classified to section 212a–2 of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by Pub. L. 107–217, §1, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1062.