Joint
resolution to assure uniform value to the coins and currencies of
the United States.
Whereas the holding of or dealing in gold affect the public
interest, and therefore subject to proper regulation and
restriction; and
Whereas the existing emergency has disclosed that provisions of
obligations which purport to give the obligee a right to require
payment in gold or a particular kind of coin or currency of the
United States, or in an amount of money of the United States
measured thereby, obstruct the power of the Congress to regulate the
value of money of the United States, and are inconsistent with the
declared policy of the Congress to maintain at all times the equal
power of every dollar, coined or issued by the United States, in the
markets and in payment of debts.
Now,
therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled.
That
(a) every provision contained in or made with respect to any
obligation which purports to give the obligee a right to require
payment in gold or a particular kind of coin or currency, or in an
amount of money of the United States measured thereby, is declared
to be against public policy; and no such provision contained in or
made with respect to any obligation hereafter incurred. Every
obligation, heretofore or hereafter incurred, whether or not any
such provisions is contained therein or made with respect thereto,
shall be discharged upon payment, dollar for dollar, in any such
coin or currency which at the time is legal tender for public and
private debts. Any such provision contained in any law authorizing
obligations to be issued by or under authority of the United States,
is hereby repealed, but the repeal of any such provision shall not
invalidate any other provision or authority contained in such law.
(b) As
used in the resolution, the term "obligation" means an obligation
(including every obligation of and to the United States, excepting
currency) payable in money of the United States; and the term "coin
or currency" means coin or currency of the United States, including
Federal Reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal Reserve banks
and national banking associations.
SEC.
2. The last sentence of paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of section
43 of the Act entitled "An Act to relieve the existing national
economic emergency by increasing agricultural purchasing power, to
raise revenue for extraordinary expenses incurred by reason of such
emergency, to provide emergency relief with respect to agricultural
indebtedness, to provide for the orderly liquidation of joint-stock
land banks, and for other purposes", approved May 12, 1933, is
amended to read as follows:
"All
coins and currencies of the United States (including Federal reserve
notes and circulating notes of Federal Reserve banks and national
banking associations)hereunto and hereafter coined or issued, shall
be legal tender for all debts, for public and private, public
charges, taxes, duties, and dues, except gold coins, when below the
standard weight and limit of tolerance provided by law for the
single piece, shall be legal tender only at valuation in proportion
to their actual weight." Approved June 5,1933, 4:30 p.m.
See Also:
Title 31 USC
§5118