In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, unless the context indicates otherwise—
words importing the singular include and apply to several persons, parties, or things;
words importing the plural include the singular;
words importing the masculine gender include the feminine as well;
words used in the present tense include the future as well as the present;
the words “insane” and “insane person” shall include every idiot, insane person, and person non compos mentis;
the words “person” and “whoever” include corporations, companies, associations, firms, partnerships, societies, and joint stock companies, as well as individuals;
“officer” includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office;
“signature” or “subscription” includes a mark when the person making the same intended it as such;
“oath” includes affirmation, and “sworn” includes affirmed;
“writing” includes printing and typewriting and reproductions of visual symbols by photographing, multigraphing, mimeographing, manifolding, or otherwise.
July 30, 1947, ch. 388 61 Stat. 633 June 25, 1948, ch. 645, § 6 62 Stat. 859 Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 655, § 1 65 Stat. 710 Pub. L. 112–231, § 2(a)126 Stat. 1619 (, ; , ; , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 112–2312012—, in fifth clause after opening clause, struck out “and ‘lunatic’ ” before “shall include every” and “lunatic,” before “insane person,”.
1951—Act , substituted, in fourth clause after opening clause, “used” for “use”.
1948—Act , included “tense”, “whoever”, “signature”, “subscription”, “writing” and a broader definition of “person”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title of 2022 Amendment
Pub. L. 117–228, § 1136 Stat. 2305
section 1738C of Title 28section 7 of this titlesection 1738C of Title 28section 7 of this title“This Act [enacting , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, amending , repealing , and enacting provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Respect for Marriage Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2012 Amendment
Pub. L. 112–231, § 1126 Stat. 1619
“This Act [amending this section and sections 92a, 215, and 215a of Title 12, Banks and Banking] may be cited as the ‘21st Century Language Act of 2012’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2002 Amendment
Pub. L. 107–207, § 1116 Stat. 926
section 8 of this title“This Act [enacting ] may be cited as the ‘Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–199, § 1110 Stat. 2419
section 7 of this titlesection 1738C of Title 28“This Act [enacting and , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure] may be cited as the ‘Defense of Marriage Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 119–75References in
Pub. L. 119–75, § 3140 Stat. 174
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 119–74References in
Pub. L. 119–74, § 3140 Stat. 5
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 119–60References in
Pub. L. 119–60, § 3(1)139 Stat. 748
“In this Act [National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, see Tables for classification]:“(1)
, , , provided that:
In divisions A through D, the term ‘this Act’ refers to divisions A through D.”
Pub. L. 119–37References in
Pub. L. 119–37, § 3139 Stat. 496
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 119–4References in
Pub. L. 119–4, § 3139 Stat. 10
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 118–159References in
Pub. L. 118–159, § 3(1)138 Stat. 1799
“In this Act [Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, see Tables for classification]:“(1)
, , , provided that:
In divisions A through D, the term ‘this Act’ refers to divisions A through D.”
Pub. L. 118–158References in
Pub. L. 118–158, § 3138 Stat. 1723
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 118–83References in
Pub. L. 118–83, § 3138 Stat. 1524
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 118–47References in
Pub. L. 118–47, § 3138 Stat. 461
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 118–42References in
Pub. L. 118–42, § 3138 Stat. 26
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 117–328References in
Pub. L. 117–328, § 3136 Stat. 4461
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 117–229References in
Pub. L. 117–229, § 3136 Stat. 2308
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 117–103References in
Pub. L. 117–103, § 3136 Stat. 51
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 117–58References in
Pub. L. 117–58, § 2135 Stat. 442
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 117–43References in
Pub. L. 117–43, § 3135 Stat. 344
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–260References in
Pub. L. 116–260, § 3134 Stat. 1185
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–260, div. K, title VII, § 7034(q)(7)134 Stat. 1754
Pub. L. 116–260“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in titles I through VII [of div. K of , see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of such titles.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–159References in
Pub. L. 116–159, § 3134 Stat. 709
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–136References in
Pub. L. 116–136, § 3134 Stat. 285
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–127References in
Pub. L. 116–127, § 3134 Stat. 178
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Families First Coronavirus Response Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–94References in
Pub. L. 116–94, § 3133 Stat. 2536
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–94, div. F, title VI, § 612133 Stat. 2815
Pub. L. 116–94“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [div. F of , see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–94, div. H, title IV, § 420133 Stat. 3017
Pub. L. 116–94“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [div. H of , see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–93References in
Pub. L. 116–93, § 3133 Stat. 2318
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–6References in
Pub. L. 116–6, § 3133 Stat. 14
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 115–245References in
Pub. L. 115–245, § 3132 Stat. 2981
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 115–244References in
Pub. L. 115–244, § 3132 Stat. 2897
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 115–141References in
Pub. L. 115–141, § 3132 Stat. 350
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 115–56References in
Pub. L. 115–56, § 3131 Stat. 1129
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 115–31References in
Pub. L. 115–31, § 3131 Stat. 137
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 114–113References in
Pub. L. 114–113, § 3129 Stat. 2244
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 114–94References in
Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, § 1004129 Stat. 1322
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 113–235References in
Pub. L. 113–235, § 3128 Stat. 2132
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 113–76References in
Pub. L. 113–76, § 3128 Stat. 7
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 113–67References in
Pub. L. 113–67, div. A, § 1(c)127 Stat. 1166
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 113–6References in
Pub. L. 113–6, § 3127 Stat. 199
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in division A, B, C, D, or E of this Act [Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 112–74References in
Pub. L. 112–74, § 3125 Stat. 787
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 112–55References in
Pub. L. 112–55, § 3125 Stat. 552
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 112–10References in
Pub. L. 112–10, div. A, title IX, § 9015125 Stat. 102
“Any reference to ‘this Act’ in this division [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2011, see Tables for classification] shall apply solely to this division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 111–118References in
Pub. L. 111–118, § 3123 Stat. 3409
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 111–117References in
Pub. L. 111–117, § 3123 Stat. 3035
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 111–8References in
Pub. L. 111–8, § 3123 Stat. 525
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 111–5References in
Pub. L. 111–5, § 4123 Stat. 116
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 110–329References in
Pub. L. 110–329, § 3122 Stat. 3574
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ or ‘this joint resolution’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 110–161References in
Pub. L. 110–161, § 3121 Stat. 1845
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 110–116References in
Pub. L. 110–116, § 2121 Stat. 1295
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referencing only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 109–289References in
Pub. L. 109–289, div. A, title VIII, § 8112120 Stat. 1299
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007, see Tables for classification] shall be referring only to the provisions of this division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 109–148References in
Pub. L. 109–148, div. B, title V, § 5002119 Stat. 2813
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in either division A [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006, see Tables for classification] or division B [Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 109–115References in
Pub. L. 109–115, div. A, title VIII, § 847119 Stat. 2507
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 108–447References in
Pub. L. 108–447, § 3118 Stat. 2810
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 108–199References in
Pub. L. 108–199, § 3118 Stat. 4
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 108–7References in
Pub. L. 108–7, § 3117 Stat. 12
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this joint resolution [Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
, , , provided that:
Continental United States
Pub. L. 86–70, § 4873 Stat. 154
“Whenever the phrase ‘continental United States’ is used in any law of the United States enacted after the date of enactment of this Act [], it shall mean the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia, unless otherwise expressly provided.”
, , , provided that: