The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 clarified an ambiguity concerning the reach of this statute to solicitations and receipts of political donations that were not intended to influence federal elections, i.e., donations to benefit non-federal candidates and the non-federal activities of political parties and other organizations. Under the revised text, Section 607 reaches the solicitation and receipt of all political funds within areas where federal personnel are engaged in official duties. Section 607 covers all three branches of the federal government. However, it specifically exempts any contribution for a Member of Congress received by the Member’s congressional staff in his or her federal office, provided that there had been no request for the contribution to be delivered to the office, and provided further that the contribution is quickly forwarded to the Member’s campaign committee. Violations of Section 607 require proof that the defendant was actively aware of the federal character of the place where the solicitation took place or was directed. The employment status of the parties to the solicitation is immaterial; it is the employment status of the persons who routinely occupy the area where the solicitation occurs that determines whether Section 607 applies. Prosecutable violations of Section 607 may arise from solicitations that can be characterized as “shakedowns” of federal personnel. Thus, Section 607 reaches solicitations by non-federal employees, filling a void not covered by Section 602, and also reaches shakedowns of congressional employees, who are not covered by the anti-intimidation prohibition contained in Section 610, that was enacted as part of the 1993 Hatch Act reforms. When federal premises are leased or rented to candidates in accordance with General Services Administration regulations, the premises are not considered “federal” for the purposes of this statute. The same holds true for United States Postal Service post office boxes. Thus, under appropriate circumstances, political events may be 106