---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 2909"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "2909"
heading: "Investigations by Secretary; oaths and affirmations; subpenas; judicial enforcement; contempt proceedings; service of process"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/2909"
units:
  - "Chapter 62 — Beef Research and Information"
---

# §2909. Investigations by Secretary; oaths and affirmations; subpenas; judicial enforcement; contempt proceedings; service of process


The [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) may make such investigations as the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) deems necessary for the effective administration of this chapter or to determine whether any [person](/usc/7/2902.md?p=11) subject to this chapter has engaged or is about to engage in any act that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this chapter, the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10), or any rule or regulation issued under this chapter. For the purpose of such investigation, the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The attendance of witnesses and the production of records may be required from any place in the [United States](/usc/7/2902.md?p=18). In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena to, any [person](/usc/7/2902.md?p=11), the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) may invoke the aid of any court of the [United States](/usc/7/2902.md?p=18) within the jurisdiction of which such investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where such [person](/usc/7/2902.md?p=11) resides or carries on business, in requiring the attendance and testimony of the [person](/usc/7/2902.md?p=11) and the production of records. The court may issue an [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) requiring such [person](/usc/7/2902.md?p=11) to appear before the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) to produce records or to give testimony regarding the matter under investigation. Any failure to obey such [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof. Process in any such case may be served in the judicial district in which such [person](/usc/7/2902.md?p=11) is an inhabitant or wherever such [person](/usc/7/2902.md?p=11) may be found.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–294, § 10, May 28, 1976, 90 Stat. 535; Pub. L. 99–198, title XVI, § 1601(b), Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1606.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1985—Pub. L. 99–198 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to investigations, power to subpoena and take oaths and affirmations, and aid of courts, for provisions relating to termination or suspension of orders.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–198 effective Jan. 1, 1986, see section 1601(c) of Pub. L. 99–198, set out as a note under section 2901 of this title.