(b) Making political contributions: 18 U.S.C. § 603 Section 603, like Section 602, reaches only contributions made to influence federal elections. The statute prohibits any officer or employee of the United States, or a person receiving compensation for services from money derived from the United States Treasury, from giving a contribution to any other such officer, employee, or person, or to any United States Senator or Representative, if the person receiving the contribution is the donor’s “employer or employing authority.” Although modified by the 1993 Hatch Act amendments, Section 603’s basic prohibition against political donations between subordinates and supervisors was retained. 43 Section 603 applies to all congressional staff and White House employees, as well as to civil service personnel. Violations are punishable by imprisonment for up to three years. The Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel has interpreted Section 603 as not reaching voluntary contributions made by rank-and-file employees of the executive branch of the government to campaign committees authorized by an incumbent President or Vice President, provided that such donations are given in compliance with the provisions of the 1993 Hatch Act reform amendments (i.e., voluntarily and while the donor is off duty, not in a federal office space, and not in uniform or in a government-owned vehicle). (c) Intimidation to secure political contributions: 18 U.S.C. § 606 Section 606 makes it unlawful for a United States Senator, United States Representative, or federal officer or employee to discharge, demote, or promote another federal officer or employee, or to threaten or promise to do so, for making or failing to make “any contribution of money or other valuable thing for any political This prohibition was also added by the 1993 law to the civil Hatch Act provision. 5 U.S.C. § 7323(a). 43 103