Chapter XIX. more effectually to enforce the Attendance of Witnesses on the Summons of either House of Congress, and to compel them to discover Testimony
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Chap. XIX.— An Act more effectually to enforce the Attendance of Witnesses on the Summons of either House of Congress, and to compel them to discover Testimony. Jan. 24, 1857. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That any person summoned asPenalty on Witnesses summoned by either House of Congress for default or refusal to answer. a witness by the authority of either House of Congress to give testimony or to produce papers upon any matter before either House, or any committee of either House of Congress, who shall wilfully make default, or who, appearing, shall refuse to answer any question pertinent to the matter of inquiry in consideration before the House or committee by which he shall be examined, shall in addition to the pains and penalties now existing, be liable to indictment as and for a misdemeanor, in any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, and on conviction, shall pay156THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Sess. III. Ch. 24, 25. 1857 a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars and not less than one hundred dollars, and suffer imprisonment in the common jail not less than one month nor more than twelve months. Sec. 2. No person to be held criminally for any matter respecting which he has been required to testify before either House of Congress or any committee.Nothing disclosed by such witness to he evidence against him.No such witness excused from answering on the ground that he will criminate himself.Proviso for punishing perjury in such witness.Witnesses failing to testify, how brought to trial.*And be it further enacted*, Than no person examined and testifying before either House of Congress, or any committee of either House, shall be held to answer criminally in any court of justice, or subject to any penalty or forfeiture for any fact or act touching which he shall be required to testify before either House of Congress or any committee of either House as to which he shall have testified whether before or after the date of this act, and that no statement made, or paper produced by any witness before either House of Congress or before any committee of either House, shall be competent testimony in any criminal proceeding against such witness in any court, of justice; and no witness shall hereafter be allowed to refuse to testify to any fact or to produce any paper touching which he shall be examined by either House of Congress, or any committee of either House, for the reason that his testimony touching such fact or the production of such paper may tend to disgrace him or otherwise render him infamous: *Provided*, That nothing in this act shall be construed to exempt any witness from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed by him in testifying as aforesaid.
Sec. 3. *And be it further enacted*, That when a witness shall fail to testify, as provided in the previous sections of this act, and the facts shall be reported to the House, it shall be the duty of the Speaker of the House or the President of the Senate to certify the fact under the seal of the House or Senate to the district attorney for the District of Columbia, whose duty it shall be to bring the matter before the grand jury for their action. Approved, January 24, 1857.