Prohibition on use of Federal property for political conventions

(a) In general Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 611 the following: 612. Prohibition on use of federal property for certain political activities (a) A convention of a national political party held to nominate a candidate for the office of President or Vice President may not be held on or in any Federal property. (b) Any candidate or the authorized committee of the candidate under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 which was responsible for a convention in violation of subsection (a) shall be subject to an assessment of a civil penalty equal to the fair market value of the cost of the convention or $50,000, whichever is greater, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. (c) In this section, the term Federal property means any building, land, or other real property owned, leased, or occupied by any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, including the White House grounds and the White House (including the Old Executive Office Building, the West Wing, the East Wing, the Rose Garden, and the Executive Residence, but not including the second floor of the Executive Residence).. (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 611 the following: 612. Prohibition on use of Federal property for certain political activities.. (c) Application (1) In general This section and the amendments made by this section shall apply to any convention described in section 612(a) of title 18, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), occurring on or after the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Travel Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to limit or otherwise prevent the President or Vice President from using vehicles (including aircraft) owned or leased by the Government for travel to or from any such convention.