§5106. Suspension of prohibitions

(a) Authority To Suspend.-To allow the observance in the United States Capitol Grounds of occasions of national interest becoming the cognizance and entertainment of Congress, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives concurrently may suspend any of the prohibitions contained in sections 5103 and 5104 of this title that would prevent the use of the roads and walks within the Grounds by processions or assemblages, and the use in the Grounds of suitable decorations, music, addresses, and ceremonies, if responsible officers have been appointed and the President and the Speaker determine that adequate arrangements have been made to maintain suitable order and decorum in the proceedings and to guard the United States Capitol and its grounds from injury.

(b) Power To Suspend Prohibitions in Absence of President or Speaker.-If either the President or Speaker is absent from the District of Columbia, the authority to suspend devolves on the other officer. If both officers are absent, the authority devolves on the Capitol Police Board.

(c) Authority of Mayor To Permit Use of Louisiana Avenue.-Notwithstanding subsection (a) and section 5104(f) of this title, the Capitol Police Board may grant the Mayor of the District of Columbia authority to permit the use of Louisiana Avenue for any of the purposes prohibited by section 5104(f).

( Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1178 .)

In subsection (b), the words "District of Columbia" are substituted for "Washington" for clarity and consistency.

In subsection (c), the words "Mayor of the District of Columbia" are substituted for "Commissioners of the District of Columbia" [meaning the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia] [subsequently changed to "Commissioner of the District of Columbia" because of section 401 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1967 (eff. Aug. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 951)] because of section 421 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (Public Law 93–198, 87 Stat. 789).