Skip to main content
HR 2362 105th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Administration of justice Assault Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Democracy Due process of law Extortion Federal employees Federal law enforcement officers Federal officials Federal-local relations Federal-state relations Fines (Penalties) Firearms Freedom of speech Freedom of the press Government Operations and Politics Governmental investigations Judges Kidnapping

Republican Form of Government Guarantee Act

Introduced: July 31, 1997 Introduced by: Schumer, Charles E. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 15, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Jul 31, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 31, 1997
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Republican Form of Government Guarantee Act - Revises Federal criminal code provisions setting penalties for assaulting, resisting, intimidating, or impeding any of specified U.S. officers and employees (including Federal judges), to: (1) cover persons who commit such acts against State or local government officers or employees or persons assisting such officers or employees in the performance of official duty; and (2) increase penalties for such acts.

Sets a minimum term of two years' imprisonment for: (1) transmitting in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing a threat to kidnap or injure any person; and (2) depositing, or causing to be delivered, any communication threatening to kidnap or injure any person.

Declares that each person not otherwise disqualified, barred, or disabled by State or Federal law shall have the right to participate in a republican form of State government free from interference from unlawful violence and the reasonably perceived threat of such violence. Creates a private cause of action, as well as a government remedy (enforceable by the chief executive officer of any State) against any individual or organization for a violation of that right. Authorizes the court to award a reasonable attorney's fee to a prevailing plaintiff. Sets a five-year statute of limitations that begins with the date of discovery of the violation.

Directs the Attorney General to develop and implement a training program for Federal law enforcement personnel to enable them to deal more effectively with politically motivated violence.

Authorizes an agency that determines that an agency employee or agent is being unlawfully and physically prevented from carrying out lawful duties by employees or agents of a State, county, or local government, to file a complaint with the Attorney General. Directs the Attorney General to investigate the complaint and, if the Attorney General finds the complaint is meritorious, to place in escrow any payments that otherwise would be made to that county under the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act of 1976 until such time as such interference has ceased.

What's happening now August 15, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2