United States v. Bramblett

Summary

The Supreme Court considered whether 18 U.S.C. § 1001 applied to false representations made to the Disbursing Office of the House of Representatives. The Court held that the statute's reference to a matter within the jurisdiction of a department or agency of the United States encompassed the legislative and judicial branches, reversed the judgment of the District Court, and reinstated the prosecution.

Holdings

1. The phrase 'any department or agency of the United States' in § 1001 encompasses the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government.
2. Strict construction of a criminal statute does not require giving the statute its narrowest possible meaning in disregard of legislative purpose.

Questions Presented

1. Whether 18 U.S.C. § 1001 applies to false statements made in a matter within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch of the Federal Government.
2. Whether the House of Representatives Disbursing Office falls within the phrase 'any department or agency of the United States' as used in § 1001.
3. Whether strict construction of a criminal statute requires § 1001 to be limited to falsifications made to executive departments or agencies.

Disposition

reversed