Us Code § 227 - Wrongfully influencing a private entity's employment decisions by a Member of Congress or an officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 227 — Wrongfully influencing a private entity's employment decisions by a Member of Congress or an officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 227. Wrongfully influencing a private entity's employment decisions by a Member of Congress or an officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch

(a) Whoever, being a covered government person, with the intent to influence, solely on the basis of partisan political affiliation, an employment decision or employment practice of any private entity—

(1) takes or withholds, or offers or threatens to take or withhold, an official act, or

(2) influences, or offers or threatens to influence, the official act of another,


shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both, and may be disqualified from holding any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.

(b) In this section, the term "covered government person" means—

(1) a Senator or Representative in, or a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress;

(2) an employee of either House of Congress; or

(3) the President, Vice President, an employee of the United States Postal Service or the Postal Regulatory Commission, or any other executive branch employee (as such term is defined under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code).

(Added Pub. L. 110–81, title I, §102(a), Sept. 14, 2007, 121 Stat. 739; amended Pub. L. 112–105, §18(a), Apr. 4, 2012, 126 Stat. 304.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

2012—Pub. L. 112–105 inserted "or an officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch" after "Congress" in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), substituted "a covered government person" for "a Senator or Representative in, or a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress or an employee of either House of Congress" in introductory provisions, and added subsec. (b).


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 110–81, title I, §105(b), Sept. 14, 2007, 121 Stat. 741, provided that: "The amendments made by section 102 [enacting this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 14, 2007]."

Construction

Pub. L. 110–81, title I, §102(b), Sept. 14, 2007, 121 Stat. 739, provided that: "Nothing in section 227 of title 18, United States Code, as added by this section, shall be construed to create any inference with respect to whether the activity described in section 227 of title 18, United States Code, was a criminal or civil offense before the enactment of this Act [Sept. 14, 2007], including under section 201(b), 201(c), any of sections 203 through 209, or section 872, of title 18, United States Code."

CHAPTER 11A—CHILD SUPPORT

Sec.
228.
Failure to pay legal child support obligations.

        

About This Section

18 U.S.C. § 227 is part of Title 18 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 18 U.S.C. § 227. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 227

What does United States Code § 227 cover?

Section 227 ("Wrongfully influencing a private entity's employment decisions by a Member of Congress or an officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 227?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 227" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 227 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.