Brownell-Butler Act of 1954

(Communist Control Act of 1954), law for the control of communist activity in the USA. It came into force on Aug. 24, 1954. It was named after the authors of the bill, Attorney General Brownell and Senator Butler. The act’s intent was to place the activity of the Communist Party, progressive organizations, and trade unions under the complete control of the authorities, who were empowered to declare any organization “an organization of communist penetration” and to begin prosecuting it. The Brownell-Butler Act was a constituent part of the policy of the ruling circles of the USA that aimed at the suppression of the progressive forces in the country.