(a) Authority of the Capitol PoliceSubject to the direction of the Capitol Police Board, the United States Capitol Police is authorized to protect, in any area of the United States, the person of any Member of Congress, officer of the Congress, as defined in section 4101(b) of this title, and any member of the immediate family of any such Member or officer, if the Capitol Police Board determines such protection to be necessary.
(b) Detail of policeIn carrying out its authority under this section, the Capitol Police Board, or its designee, is authorized, in accordance with regulations issued by the Board pursuant to this section, to detail, on a case-by-case basis, members of the United States Capitol Police to provide such protection as the Board may determine necessary under this section.
(c) Arrest of suspectsIn the performance of their protective duties under this section, members of the United States Capitol Police are authorized (1) to make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony; and (2) to utilize equipment and property of the Capitol Police.
(d) Fines and penaltiesWhoever knowingly and willfully obstructs, resists, or interferes with a member of the Capitol Police engaged in the performance of the protective functions authorized by this section, shall be fined not more than $300 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(e) Construction of provisionsNothing contained in this section shall be construed to imply that the authority, duty, and function conferred on the Capitol Police Board and the United States Capitol Police are in lieu of or intended to supersede any authority, duty, or function imposed on any Federal department, agency, bureau, or other entity, or the Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia, involving the protection of any such Member, officer, or family member.
(f) “United States” definedAs used in this section, the term “United States” means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and territories and possessions of the United States.
Structure US Code
SUBCHAPTER II— POWERS AND DUTIES
§ 1961. Policing of Capitol Buildings and Grounds
§ 1964. Security systems for Capitol buildings and grounds
§ 1965. Maintenance of security systems for Capitol buildings and grounds
§ 1965a. Prohibition on use of funds for installation of permanent fencing on Capitol Grounds
§ 1966. Protection of Members of Congress, officers of Congress, and members of their families
§ 1966a. Protection of former Speakers of the House of Representatives
§ 1967. Law enforcement authority
§ 1969. Regulation of traffic by Capitol Police Board
§ 1970. Assistance by Executive departments and agencies
§ 1971. Contributions of meals and refreshments during emergency duty
§ 1972. Contributions of comfort and other incidental items and services during emergency duty
§ 1973. Support and maintenance expenditures during emergency duty
§ 1974. Capitol Police special officers
§ 1975a. Overseas travel to accompany members of House leadership
§ 1976. Acceptance of donations of animals
§ 1977. Settlement and payment of tort claims
§ 1978. Deployment outside of jurisdiction