Reading Room Document

Political Contributions by Federal Employees

The document addresses the interpretation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 602 and 607, which pertain to political contributions by Federal employees. The conclusion reached is that voluntary contributions made to political organizations, including committees that support incumbent Federal officers for reelection, are not prosecutable violations under § 607. The document also concludes that liability under § 602 depends on the acts of the Federal officer or employee involved, and assuming that the President, or any other Federal officer or employee, did not act directly or indirectly to secure contributions from other Federal officers or employees, they would not be vicariously liable under § 602. The questions presented for review include whether Federal employees may voluntarily make political contributions to the Carter-Mondale Presidential Committee under § 607, and whether the President would be deemed "in any manner concerned" with soliciting political contributions from Federal employees under § 602.

August 16, 1979