10 U.S.C. § 4818 — Data collection authority of President

(a) Authority .— The President must be entitled, by regulation, subpoena, or otherwise, to obtain the information from, require the reports and the keeping of the records by, make the inspection of the books, records, and other writings, premises or property of, and take the sworn testimony of, and administer oaths and affirmations to, any person as can be necessary or appropriate, in the President’s discretion, to the enforcement or the administration of chapters 381 through 385 and chapter 389 and the regulations issued under the chapters. (b) Condition for Use of Authority .— The President must issue regulations insuring that the authority of this section will be used only after the scope and purpose of the investigation, inspection, or inquiry to be made have been defined by competent authority and it is assured that no adequate and authoritative data are available from any Federal or other responsible agency. (c) Penalty for Noncompliance .— Any person who willfully performs any act prohibited or willfully fails to perform any act required by the provisions of subsection (a), or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, must be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (d) Limitations on Disclosure of Information .— Information obtained under subsection (a) which the President deems confidential or with reference to which a request for confidential treatment is made by the person furnishing the information must not be published or disclosed unless the President determines that the withholding of it is contrary to the interest of the national defense. Any person who willfully violates this subsection must be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (e) Regulations .— The President may make the rules, regulations, and orders as he considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this section. Any regulation or order under this section can be established in the form and manner, may contain the classification and differentiations, and may provide for the adjustments and reasonable exceptions as in the judgment of the President are necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this section, or to prevent circumvention or evasion, or to facilitate enforcement of this section, or any rule, regulation, or order issued under this section. (f) Definitions .— In this section: (1) The term “person” includes an individual, corporation, partnership, association, or any other organized group of persons, or legal successor or representative of the foregoing, and includes the United States or any agency of it, or any other government, or any of its political subdivisions, or any agency of any of the foregoing, except that no punishment provided by this section must apply to the United States, or to any the government, political subdivision, or government agency. (2) The term “national defense” means programs for military and atomic energy production or construction, military assistance to any foreign nation, stockpiling, space, and directly related activity.