 At a time when the institutions of government , both local and federal , are being subjected to increasing attack and cynicism , those responsible of the enforcement of the law and the administration of justice cannot afford to allow one of the most powerful means of combatting official corruption to be emasculated by unwarranted , restrictive interpretation . The distinction between bribery and extortion that has developed under the Hobbs Act is unnecessary when that Act is used to prosecute corruption in public office . The phrase " under color of official right " which appears in the Act 's definition of extortion renders that distinction moot . 
