5 U.S.C. § 3101 (2024) — Title 5: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES / Chapter 31 / Subchapter I / Section 3101: General authority to employ
General authority to employ
Status: in_force

Each Executive agency, military department, and the government of the District of Columbia may employ such number of employees of the various classes recognized by chapter 51 of this title as Congress may appropriate for from year to year.

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 414.)

Historical and Revision Notes

DerivationU.S. CodeRevised Statutes and 
Statutes at Large

 
5 U.S.C. 43. 
R.S. §169.
June 26, 1930, ch. 618, 46 Stat. 817.

 
5 U.S.C. 514d (2d par.). 
Sept. 21, 1944, ch. 412, §709, 58 Stat. 743.

The authorization is restated to conform to the style of this title. The word "Executive agency" are substituted for "executive department, independent establishment" in view of the definitions in sections 103, 104, and 105. The source statute (an act to authorize the appointment of employees in the executive branch etc.) applied to the entire executive branch, and government corporations as well as other agencies in the executive branch were included within the words "independent establishment". The words "or a military department" are inserted to preserve the application of the source statute. Before enactment of the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 578), the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force were Executive departments. The National Security Act Amendments of 1949 established the Department of Defense as an Executive department including the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force as military departments, not as Executive departments. However, the source statute for this subsection, which was in effect in 1949, remained applicable to the Secretaries of the military departments by virtue of section 12(g) of the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 591), which is set out in the reviser's note for section 301. The words "for services in the District of Columbia or elsewhere" are eliminated as surplusage. The reference to chapter 51 is substituted for the reference to the Classification Act of 1923 because the Act of Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, §1106(a), 63 Stat. 972, amended the section to refer to the Classification Act of 1949, which is carried into this title. The proviso in former section 43 and former section 514d (2d par.) are omitted as superseded by former section 22a, which is carried into section 302. The last sentence of the Act of June 26, 1930, is omitted as executed.

This section was part of title IV of the Revised Statutes. The Act of July 26, 1947, ch. 343, §201(d), as added Aug. 10, 1949, ch. 412, §4, 63 Stat. 579 (former 5 U.S.C. 171–1), which provides "Except to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of this Act [National Security Act of 1947], the provisions of title IV of the Revised Statutes as now or hereafter amended shall be applicable to the Department of Defense" is omitted from this title but is not repealed.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Reports on Political Appointees Appointed to Nonpolitical Permanent Positions

Pub. L. 114–136, §4, Mar. 18, 2016, 130 Stat. 305, provided that:

"(a) Definitions.—In this section—

"(1) the term 'agency' has the meaning given the term 'Executive agency' in section 105 of title 5, United States Code;

"(2) the term 'covered civil service position' means a position in the civil service (as defined in section 2101 of title 5, United States Code) that is not—

"(A) a temporary position; or

"(B) a political position;

"(3) the term 'former political appointee' means an individual who—

"(A) is not serving in an appointment to a political position; and

"(B) served as a political appointee during the 5-year period ending on the date of the request for an appointment to a covered civil service position in any agency;

"(4) the term 'political appointee' means an individual serving in an appointment to a political position; and

"(5) the term 'political position' means—

"(A) a position described under sections 5312 through 5316 of title 5, United States Code (relating to the Executive Schedule);

"(B) a noncareer appointment in the Senior Executive Service, as defined under paragraph (7) of section 3132(a) of title 5, United States Code; or

"(C) a position in the executive branch of the Government of a confidential or policy-determining character under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.

"(b) Reporting on Current or Recent Political Appointees Appointed to Covered Civil Service Positions.—

"(1) Annual report.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability] of the House of Representatives an annual report regarding requests by agencies to appoint political appointees or former political appointees to covered civil service positions. Each report shall cover one calendar year and shall—

"(A) for each request by an agency that a political appointee be appointed to a covered civil service position during the period covered by the report, provide—

"(i) the date on which the request was received by the Office of Personnel Management;

"(ii) subject to subsection (c), the name of the individual and the political position held by the individual, including title, office, and agency;

"(iii) the date on which the individual was first appointed to a political position in the agency in which the individual is serving as a political appointee;

"(iv) the grade and rate of basic pay for the individual as a political appointee;

"(v) the proposed covered civil service position, including title, office, and agency, and the proposed grade and rate of basic pay for the individual;

"(vi) whether the Office of Personnel Management approved or denied the request; and

"(vii) the date on which the individual was appointed to a covered civil service position, if applicable; and

"(B) for each request by an agency that a former political appointee be appointed to a covered civil service position during the period covered by the report, provide—

"(i) the date on which the request was received by the Office of Personnel Management;

"(ii) subject to subsection (c), the name of the individual and the political position held by the individual, including title, office, and agency;

"(iii) the date on which the individual was first appointed to any political position;

"(iv) the grade and rate of basic pay for the individual as a political appointee;

"(v) the date on which the individual ceased to serve in a political position;

"(vi) the proposed covered civil service position, including title, office, and agency, and the proposed grade and rate of basic pay for the individual;

"(vii) whether the Office of Personnel Management approved or denied the request; and

"(viii) the date on which the individual was first appointed to a covered civil service position, if applicable.

"(2) Quarterly report in certain years.—In the last year of the term of a President, or, if applicable, the last year of the second consecutive term of a President, the report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted quarterly and shall cover each quarter of the year, except that the last quarterly report shall also cover January 1 through 20 of the following year.

"(c) Names and Titles of Certain Appointees.—If determined appropriate by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, a report submitted under subsection (b) may exclude the name or title of a political appointee or former political appointee—

"(1) who—

"(A) was requested to be appointed to a covered civil service position; and

"(B) was not appointed to a covered civil service position; or

"(2) relating to whom a request to be appointed to a covered civil service position is pending at the end of the period covered by that report."

Reduction of Federal Full-Time Equivalent Positions

Pub. L. 103–226, §5, Mar. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 115, as amended by Pub. L. 103–329, title VI, §631, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2424; Pub. L. 108–271, §8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814, provided that:

"(a) Definition.—For the purpose of this section, the term 'agency' means an Executive agency (as defined by section 105 of title 5, United States Code), but does not include the Government Accountability Office.

"(b) Limitations on Full-Time Equivalent Positions.—The President, through the Office of Management and Budget (in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management), shall ensure that the total number of full-time equivalent positions in all agencies shall not exceed—

"(1) 2,084,600 during fiscal year 1994;

"(2) 2,043,300 during fiscal year 1995;

"(3) 2,003,300 during fiscal year 1996;

"(4) 1,963,300 during fiscal year 1997;

"(5) 1,922,300 during fiscal year 1998; and

"(6) 1,882,300 during fiscal year 1999.

"(c) Monitoring and Notification.—The Office of Management and Budget, after consultation with the Office of Personnel Management, shall—

"(1) continuously monitor all agencies and make a determination on the first date of each quarter of each applicable fiscal year of whether the requirements under subsection (b) are met; and

"(2) notify the President and the Congress on the first date of each quarter of each applicable fiscal year of any determination that any requirement of subsection (b) is not met.

"(d) Compliance.—If, at any time during a fiscal year, the Office of Management and Budget notifies the President and the Congress that any requirement under subsection (b) is not met, no agency may hire any employee for any position in such agency until the Office of Management and Budget notifies the President and the Congress that the total number of full-time equivalent positions for all agencies equals or is less than the applicable number required under subsection (b).

"(e) Waiver.—

"(1) Emergencies.—Any provision of this section may be waived upon a determination by the President that—

"(A) the existence of a state of war or other national security concern so requires; or

"(B) the existence of an extraordinary emergency threatening life, health, safety, property, or the environment so requires.

"(2) Agency efficiency or critical mission.—

"(A) Subsection (d) may be waived, in the case of a particular position or category of positions in an agency, upon a determination of the President that the efficiency of the agency or the performance of a critical agency mission so requires.

"(B) Whenever the President grants a waiver pursuant to subparagraph (A), the President shall take all necessary actions to ensure that the overall limitations set forth in subsection (b) are not exceeded.

"(f) Employment Backfill Prevention.—

"(1) In general.—The total number of funded employee positions in all agencies (excluding the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency) shall be reduced by one position for each vacancy created by the separation of any employee who has received, or is due to receive, a voluntary separation incentive payment under section 3(a)–(e) [5 U.S.C. 5597 note]. For purposes of this subsection, positions and vacancies shall be counted on a full-time-equivalent basis.

"(2) Related restriction.—No funds budgeted for and appropriated by any Act for salaries or expenses of positions eliminated under this subsection may be used for any purpose other than authorized separation costs.

"(3) Applicability of backfill prevention provisions to agencies otherwise exempted from fte reduction.—

"(A) In general.—If any agency is otherwise exempted by any law from the limitations on full-time equivalent positions or the restrictions on hiring established by this section—

"(i) paragraph (1) shall apply to vacancies created in such agency; and

"(ii) the reductions required pursuant to clause (i) shall be made in the number of funded employee positions in such agency.

"(B) Waiver authority.—In the case of a particular position in an agency, subparagraph (A) may be waived upon a determination by the head of the agency that the performance of a critical agency mission requires the waiver.

"(C) Relation to other law.—No law may be construed as suspending or modifying this paragraph unless such law specifically amends this paragraph.

"(g) Limitation on Procurement of Service Contracts.—The President shall take appropriate action to ensure that there is no increase in the procurement of service contracts by reason of the enactment of this Act [see Tables for classification], except in cases in which a cost comparison demonstrates such contracts would be to the financial advantage of the Federal Government."

Limitation on Number of Civilian Employees in Executive Branch

Pub. L. 95–454, title III, §311, Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1153, which provided that the total number of civilian employees in the executive branch, on Sept. 30, 1979, on Sept. 30, 1980, and Sept. 30, 1981, shall not exceed the number of such employees on Sept. 30, 1977, terminated by its own terms on Jan. 31, 1981.

Pub. L. 91–47, title V, §503, July 22, 1969, 83 Stat. 83, repealed section 201 of Pub. L. 90–364, title II, June 28, 1968, 82 Stat. 270, which provided for limitation on the number of civilian officers and employees in the executive branch and which was formerly set out under this section.

Citizenship Requirement for Employees Compensated From Appropriated Funds

Pub. L. 118–47, div. B, title VII, §704, Mar. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 573, provided that: "Unless otherwise specified in law during the current fiscal year, no part of any appropriation contained in this or any other Act shall be used to pay the compensation of any officer or employee of the Government of the United States (including any agency the majority of the stock of which is owned by the Government of the United States) whose post of duty is in the continental United States unless such person: (1) is a citizen of the United States; (2) is a person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B); (3) is a person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; or (4) is a person who owes allegiance to the United States: Provided, That for purposes of this section, affidavits signed by any such person shall be considered prima facie evidence that the requirements of this section with respect to his or her status are being complied with: Provided further, That for purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) such affidavits shall be submitted prior to employment and updated thereafter as necessary: Provided further, That any person making a false affidavit shall be guilty of a felony, and upon conviction, shall be fined no more than $4,000 or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both: Provided further, That the above penal clause shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other provisions of existing law: Provided further, That any payment made to any officer or employee contrary to the provisions of this section shall be recoverable in action by the Federal Government: Provided further, That this section shall not apply to any person who is an officer or employee of the Government of the United States on the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 23, 2024], or to international broadcasters employed by the Broadcasting Board of Governors [now the United States Agency for Global Media], or to temporary employment of translators, or to temporary employment in the field service (not to exceed 60 days) as a result of emergencies: Provided further, That this section does not apply to the employment as Wildland firefighters for not more than 120 days of nonresident aliens employed by the Department of the Interior or the USDA Forest Service pursuant to an agreement with another country."

Similar provisions to those in the Citizenship Requirement for Employees Compensated From Appropriated Funds note above were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:

Pub. L. 117–328, div. E, title VII, §704, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4705.

Pub. L. 117–103, div. E, title VII, §704, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 293.

Pub. L. 116–260, div. E, title VII, §704, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1430.

Pub. L. 116–93, div. C, title VII, §704, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2484.

Pub. L. 116–6, div. D, title VII, §704, Feb. 15, 2019, 133 Stat. 187.

Pub. L. 115–141, div. E, title VII, §704, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 588.

Pub. L. 115–31, div. E, title VII, §704, May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 377.

Pub. L. 114–113, div. E, title VII, §704, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2473.

Pub. L. 113–235, div. E, title VII, §§704, 750, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2379, 2392.

Pub. L. 113–76, div. E, title VII, §§704, 744, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 231, 243.

Pub. L. 112–74, div. C, title VII, §704, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 929.

Pub. L. 111–117, div. C, title VII, §704, Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3205.

Pub. L. 111–8, div. D, title VII, §704, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 680.

Pub. L. 110–161, div. D, title VII, §705, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2019.

Pub. L. 109–115, div. A, title VIII, §805, Nov. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2496.

Pub. L. 108–447, div. H, title VI, §605, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3273.

Pub. L. 108–199, div. F, title VI, §605, Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 350.

Pub. L. 108–7, div. J, title VI, §605, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 464.

Pub. L. 107–67, title VI, §605, Nov. 12, 2001, 115 Stat. 545, as amended by Pub. L. 108–188, title I, §110, Dec. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 2757.

Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(3) [title VI, §605], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–155.

Pub. L. 106–58, title VI, §605, Sept. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 466.

Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(h) [title VI, §606], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–480, 2681–513.

Pub. L. 105–61, title VI, §606, Oct. 10, 1997, 111 Stat. 1309.

Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(f) [title VI, §606], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–354.

Pub. L. 104–52, title VI, §606, Nov. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 497.

Pub. L. 103–329, title VI, §606, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2416.

Pub. L. 103–123, title VI, §606, Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1259.

Pub. L. 102–393, title VI, §607, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1766.

Pub. L. 102–141, title VI, §607, Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 868.

Pub. L. 101–509, title VI, §603, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1471.

Pub. L. 101–136, title VI, §603, Nov. 3, 1989, 103 Stat. 816.

Pub. L. 100–440, title VI, §603, Sept. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 1751.

Pub. L. 100–202, §101(m) [title VI, §603], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–390, 1329–419.

Pub. L. 99–500, §101(m) [title VI, §603], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–308, 1783–328, and Pub. L. 99–591, §101(m) [title VI, §603], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–308, 3341–328.

Pub. L. 99–190, title I, §101(h) [H.R. 3036, title VI, §603], Dec. 19, 1985, 99 Stat. 1291.

Pub. L. 98–473, title I, §101(j) [H.R. 5798, title VI, §604], Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 1963.

Pub. L. 98–151, §101(f) [H.R. 4139, title VI, §603], Nov. 14, 1983, 97 Stat. 973.

Pub. L. 97–377, title I, §101(a) [incorporating H.R. 4121, title VI, §603, for FY 1982], Dec. 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1830.

Pub. L. 97–92, §101(a) [H.R. 4121, title VI, §603], Dec. 15, 1981, 95 Stat. 1183.

Pub. L. 96–536, §101(a) [incorporating Pub. L. 96–74, title VI, §602], Dec. 16, 1980, 94 Stat. 3166.

Pub. L. 96–74, title VI, §602, Sept. 29, 1979, 93 Stat. 574.

Pub. L. 95–429, title VI, §602, Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1015.

Pub. L. 95–81, title VI, §602, July 31, 1977, 91 Stat. 354.

Pub. L. 94–419, title VII, §750, Sept. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 1299.

Pub. L. 94–363, title VI, §602, July 14, 1976, 90 Stat. 977.

Pub. L. 94–212, title VII, §753, Feb. 9, 1976, 90 Stat. 177.

Pub. L. 94–91, title VI, §602, Aug. 9, 1975, 89 Stat. 458.

Pub. L. 93–381, title VI, §602, Aug. 21, 1974, 88 Stat. 630.

Pub. L. 93–143, title VI, §602, Oct. 30, 1973, 87 Stat. 524.

Pub. L. 92–351, title VI, §602, July 13, 1972, 86 Stat. 487.

Pub. L. 92–49, title VI, §602, July 9, 1971, 85 Stat. 122.

Pub. L. 91–439, title V, §502, Oct. 7, 1970, 84 Stat. 902.

Pub. L. 91–144, title V, §502, Dec. 11, 1969, 83 Stat. 336.

Pub. L. 90–479, title V, §502, Aug. 12, 1968, 82 Stat. 717.

Pub. L. 90–147, title V, §502, Nov. 20, 1967, 81 Stat. 483.

Pub. L. 89–689, title V, §502, Oct. 15, 1966, 80 Stat. 1014.

Pub. L. 89–299, title V, §502, Oct. 28, 1965, 79 Stat. 1108.

Pub. L. 88–511, title V, §502, Aug. 30, 1964, 78 Stat. 693.

Pub. L. 88–257, title V, §502, Dec. 31, 1963, 77 Stat. 855.

Pub. L. 87–880, title V, §502, Oct. 24, 1962, 76 Stat. 1227.

Pub. L. 87–125, title V, §502, Aug. 3, 1961, 75 Stat. 282.

Pub. L. 86–642, title II, §202, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 476.

Pub. L. 86–79, title II, §202, July 8, 1959, 73 Stat. 165.

Pub. L. 85–468, title II, §202, June 25, 1958, 72 Stat. 224.

Pub. L. 85–48, title II, §202, June 5, 1957, 71 Stat. 53.

June 13, 1956, ch. 385, title II, §202, 70 Stat. 280.

June 29, 1955, ch. 226, title II, §202, 69 Stat. 195.

Aug. 26, 1954, ch. 935, Ch. XIII, §1302, 68 Stat. 828.

Aug. 7, 1953, ch. 340, Ch. XIII, §1302, 67 Stat. 435.

July 15, 1952, ch. 758, Ch. XIV, §1402, 66 Stat. 659.

Nov. 1, 1951, ch. 664, Ch. XIII, §1302, 65 Stat. 755.

Sept. 6, 1950, ch. 897, Ch. XII, §1202, 64 Stat. 763.

Aug. 24, 1949, ch. 506, title III, §302, 63 Stat. 661.

Apr. 20, 1948, ch. 219, title II, §202, 62 Stat. 193.

July 30, 1947, ch. 359, title II, §202, 61 Stat. 608.

Mar. 28, 1946, ch. 113, title II, §206, 60 Stat. 80.

May 3, 1945, ch. 106, title II, §206, 59 Stat. 132.

June 27, 1944, ch. 286, title II, §205, 58 Stat. 385.

June 26, 1943, ch. 145, title II, §205, 57 Stat. 196.

Citizenship requirement for permanent officers and employees of Census Bureau, see section 22 of Title 13, Census.

Exceptions to citizenship requirement for—

Department of Defense personnel, see section 1584 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Department of State employees, see sections 2669, 2672 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Department of the Navy personnel, see section 7473 of Title 10.

Library of Congress positions, see section 169 of Title 2, The Congress.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration employees, see section 20113 of Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs.

Employment of Personnel During National Emergency Proclaimed on Dec. 16, 1950

Section 1310 of act Nov. 1, 1951, ch. 664, Ch. XIII, 65 Stat. 757, as amended June 5, 1952, ch. 369, Ch. XIII, §1302, 66 Stat. 122; Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1208, title VI, §602, 68 Stat. 1115; Oct. 11, 1962, Pub. L. 87–793, §717(b), 76 Stat. 858; Aug. 6, 1965, Pub. L. 89–114, 79 Stat. 448; Oct. 11, 1967, Pub. L. 90–105, §3, 81 Stat. 274; Apr. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–273, §4(5), 90 Stat. 377, provided that, upon the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 1951] and until termination of the national emergency proclaimed by the President on Dec. 16, 1950, agencies shall use their authority to require initial appointment be made on other than a permanent basis to limit the number of permanent employees, the Civil Service Commission facilitate the transfer of Federal employees from nondefense to defense activities with reemployment rights and make use of its authority to prohibit excessively rapid promotions, and agencies review certain positions annually and report to Congressional committees. All powers and authorities under section 1310 of act Nov. 1, 1951, as amended, terminated 2 years from Sept. 14, 1976, pursuant to Pub. L. 94–412, title I, §101, Sept. 14, 1976, 90 Stat. 1255 (50 U.S.C. 1601).

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 12839. Reduction of 100,000 Federal Positions

Ex. Ord. No. 12839, Feb. 10, 1993, 58 F.R. 8515, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, section 3301 of title 5, United States Code, and section 1111 of title 31, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Limits on Hiring Civilian Personnel. Each executive department or agency with over 100 employees shall eliminate not less than 4 percent of its civilian personnel positions (measured on a full-time equivalent (FTE) basis) over the next 3 fiscal years. The positions shall be vacated through attrition or early out programs established at the discretion of the department and agency heads. At least 10 percent of the reductions shall come from the Senior Executive Service, GS–15 and GS–14 levels or equivalent.

Sec. 2. Coverage. This order applies to all executive branch departments and agencies with over 100 employees (measured on a FTE basis).

Sec. 3. Target Dates. Each department and agency shall achieve 25 percent of its total reductions by the end of fiscal year 1993, 62.5 percent by the end of fiscal year 1994, and 100 percent by the end of fiscal year 1995.

Sec. 4. Implementation. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue detailed instructions regarding the implementation of this order, including exemptions necessary for the delivery of essential services and compliance with applicable law.

Sec. 5. Independent Agencies. All independent regulatory commissions and agencies are requested to comply with the provisions of this order.

William J. Clinton.      

Freeze on Hiring of Federal Civilian Employees

Memorandum of the President of the United States, dated Jan. 20, 1981, 46 F.R. 9907, provided for a freeze on the hiring of Federal civilian employees in the executive branch.
5 U.S.C. § 571 (2024) — Title 5: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES / Chapter 5 / Subchapter IV / Section 571: Definitions
Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this subchapter, the term—

(1) "agency" has the same meaning as in section 551(1) of this title;

(2) "administrative program" includes a Federal function which involves protection of the public interest and the determination of rights, privileges, and obligations of private persons through rule making, adjudication, licensing, or investigation, as those terms are used in subchapter II of this chapter;

(3) "alternative means of dispute resolution" means any procedure that is used to resolve issues in controversy, including, but not limited to, conciliation, facilitation, mediation, factfinding, minitrials, arbitration, and use of ombuds, or any combination thereof;

(4) "award" means any decision by an arbitrator resolving the issues in controversy;

(5) "dispute resolution communication" means any oral or written communication prepared for the purposes of a dispute resolution proceeding, including any memoranda, notes or work product of the neutral, parties or nonparty participant; except that a written agreement to enter into a dispute resolution proceeding, or final written agreement or arbitral award reached as a result of a dispute resolution proceeding, is not a dispute resolution communication;

(6) "dispute resolution proceeding" means any process in which an alternative means of dispute resolution is used to resolve an issue in controversy in which a neutral is appointed and specified parties participate;

(7) "in confidence" means, with respect to information, that the information is provided—

(A) with the expressed intent of the source that it not be disclosed; or

(B) under circumstances that would create the reasonable expectation on behalf of the source that the information will not be disclosed;

(8) "issue in controversy" means an issue which is material to a decision concerning an administrative program of an agency, and with which there is disagreement—

(A) between an agency and persons who would be substantially affected by the decision; or

(B) between persons who would be substantially affected by the decision;

(9) "neutral" means an individual who, with respect to an issue in controversy, functions specifically to aid the parties in resolving the controversy;

(10) "party" means—

(A) for a proceeding with named parties, the same as in section 551(3) of this title; and

(B) for a proceeding without named parties, a person who will be significantly affected by the decision in the proceeding and who participates in the proceeding;

(11) "person" has the same meaning as in section 551(2) of this title; and

(12) "roster" means a list of persons qualified to provide services as neutrals.

(Added Pub. L. 101–552, §4(b), Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2738, §581; renumbered §571 and amended Pub. L. 102–354, §§3(b)(2), 5(b)(1), (2), Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 944, 946; Pub. L. 104–320, §2, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3870.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section 571 of former Title 5, Executive Departments and Government Officers and Employees, was transferred to section 2256 of Title 7, Agriculture.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 571 was renumbered section 591 of this title.

Amendments

1996—Par. (3). Pub. L. 104–320, §2(1), struck out ", in lieu of an adjudication as defined in section 551(7) of this title," after "any procedure that is used", struck out "settlement negotiations," after "but not limited to," and substituted "arbitration, and use of ombuds" for "and arbitration".

Par. (8). Pub. L. 104–320, §2(2), substituted "decision;" for "decision," at end of subpar. (B), and struck out closing provisions which read as follows: "except that such term shall not include any matter specified under section 2302 or 7121(c) of this title;".

1992—Pub. L. 102–354, §3(b)(2), renumbered section 581 of this title as this section.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 102–354, §5(b)(1), inserted comma after "including".

Par. (8). Pub. L. 102–354, §5(b)(2), amended par. (8) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (8) read as follows: " 'issue in controversy' means an issue which is material to a decision concerning an administrative program of an agency, and with which there is disagreement between the agency and persons who would be substantially affected by the decision but shall not extend to matters specified under the provisions of sections 2302 and 7121(c) of title 5;".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Termination Date; Savings Provision

Pub. L. 101–552, §11, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2747, as amended by Pub. L. 104–106, div. D, title XLIII, §4321(i)(5), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 676, which provided that the authority of agencies to use dispute resolution proceedings under this Act [see Short Title note below] was to terminate on Oct. 1, 1995, except with respect to pending proceedings, was repealed by Pub. L. 104–320, §9, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3872.

Short Title of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–320, §1, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3870, provided that: "This Act [enacting sections 570a and 584 of this title, amending this section, sections 569, 573 to 575, 580, 581, and 583 of this title, section 2304 of Title 10, Armed Forces, section 1491 of Title 28, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, section 173 of Title 29, Labor, section 3556 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and sections 253 and 605 of Title 41, Public Contracts, repealing section 582 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under section 563 of this title, section 1491 of Title 28, and section 3556 of Title 31, amending provisions set out as notes under this section, and repealing provisions set out as notes under this section and section 561 of this title] may be cited as the 'Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996'."

Short Title

Pub. L. 101–552, §1, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2736, provided that: "This Act [enacting this subchapter, amending section 556 of this title, section 10 of Title 9, Arbitration, section 2672 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, section 173 of Title 29, Labor, section 3711 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and sections 605 and 607 of Title 41, Public Contracts, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section] may be cited as the 'Administrative Dispute Resolution Act'."

Congressional Findings

Pub. L. 101–552, §2, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2736, provided that: "The Congress finds that—

"(1) administrative procedure, as embodied in chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, and other statutes, is intended to offer a prompt, expert, and inexpensive means of resolving disputes as an alternative to litigation in the Federal courts;

"(2) administrative proceedings have become increasingly formal, costly, and lengthy resulting in unnecessary expenditures of time and in a decreased likelihood of achieving consensual resolution of disputes;

"(3) alternative means of dispute resolution have been used in the private sector for many years and, in appropriate circumstances, have yielded decisions that are faster, less expensive, and less contentious;

"(4) such alternative means can lead to more creative, efficient, and sensible outcomes;

"(5) such alternative means may be used advantageously in a wide variety of administrative programs;

"(6) explicit authorization of the use of well-tested dispute resolution techniques will eliminate ambiguity of agency authority under existing law;

"(7) Federal agencies may not only receive the benefit of techniques that were developed in the private sector, but may also take the lead in the further development and refinement of such techniques; and

"(8) the availability of a wide range of dispute resolution procedures, and an increased understanding of the most effective use of such procedures, will enhance the operation of the Government and better serve the public."

Promotion of Alternative Means of Dispute Resolution

Pub. L. 101–552, §3, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2736, as amended by Pub. L. 104–320, §4(a), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3871, provided that:

"(a) Promulgation of Agency Policy.—Each agency shall adopt a policy that addresses the use of alternative means of dispute resolution and case management. In developing such a policy, each agency shall—

"(1) consult with the agency designated by, or the interagency committee designated or established by, the President under section 573 of title 5, United States Code, to facilitate and encourage agency use of alternative dispute resolution under subchapter IV of chapter 5 of such title; and

"(2) examine alternative means of resolving disputes in connection with—

"(A) formal and informal adjudications;

"(B) rulemakings;

"(C) enforcement actions;

"(D) issuing and revoking licenses or permits;

"(E) contract administration;

"(F) litigation brought by or against the agency; and

"(G) other agency actions.

"(b) Dispute Resolution Specialists.—The head of each agency shall designate a senior official to be the dispute resolution specialist of the agency. Such official shall be responsible for the implementation of—

"(1) the provisions of this Act [see Short Title note above] and the amendments made by this Act; and

"(2) the agency policy developed under subsection (a).

"(c) Training.—Each agency shall provide for training on a regular basis for the dispute resolution specialist of the agency and other employees involved in implementing the policy of the agency developed under subsection (a). Such training should encompass the theory and practice of negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or related techniques. The dispute resolution specialist shall periodically recommend to the agency head agency employees who would benefit from similar training.

"(d) Procedures for Grants and Contracts.—

"(1) Each agency shall review each of its standard agreements for contracts, grants, and other assistance and shall determine whether to amend any such standard agreements to authorize and encourage the use of alternative means of dispute resolution.

"(2)(A) Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 1990], the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall be amended, as necessary, to carry out this Act [see Short Title note above] and the amendments made by this Act.

"(B) For purposes of this section, the term 'Federal Acquisition Regulation' means the single system of Government-wide procurement regulation referred to in section 6(a) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act ([former] 41 U.S.C. 405(a)) [now 41 U.S.C. 1121(a) to (c)(1)]."

Use of Nonattorneys

Pub. L. 101–552, §9, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2747, provided that:

"(a) Representation of Parties.—Each agency, in developing a policy on the use of alternative means of dispute resolution under this Act [see Short Title note above], shall develop a policy with regard to the representation by persons other than attorneys of parties in alternative dispute resolution proceedings and shall identify any of its administrative programs with numerous claims or disputes before the agency and determine—

"(1) the extent to which individuals are represented or assisted by attorneys or by persons who are not attorneys; and

"(2) whether the subject areas of the applicable proceedings or the procedures are so complex or specialized that only attorneys may adequately provide such representation or assistance.

"(b) Representation and Assistance by Nonattorneys.—A person who is not an attorney may provide representation or assistance to any individual in a claim or dispute with an agency, if—

"(1) such claim or dispute concerns an administrative program identified under subsection (a);

"(2) such agency determines that the proceeding or procedure does not necessitate representation or assistance by an attorney under subsection (a)(2); and

"(3) such person meets any requirement of the agency to provide representation or assistance in such a claim or dispute.

"(c) Disqualification of Representation or Assistance.—Any agency that adopts regulations under subchapter IV of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, to permit representation or assistance by persons who are not attorneys shall review the rules of practice before such agency to—

"(1) ensure that any rules pertaining to disqualification of attorneys from practicing before the agency shall also apply, as appropriate, to other persons who provide representation or assistance; and

"(2) establish effective agency procedures for enforcing such rules of practice and for receiving complaints from affected persons."

Definitions

Pub. L. 101–552, §10, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2747, as amended by Pub. L. 102–354, §5(b)(6), Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 946, provided that: "As used in this Act [see Short Title note above], the terms 'agency', 'administrative program', and 'alternative means of dispute resolution' have the meanings given such terms in section 571 of title 5, United States Code (enacted as section 581 of title 5, United States Code, by section 4(b) of this Act, and redesignated as section 571 of such title by section 3(b) of the Administrative Procedure Technical Amendments Act of 1991 [Pub. L. 102–354])."
5 U.S.C. § 8442 (2024) — Title 5: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES / Chapter 84 / Subchapter IV / Section 8442: Rights of a widow or widower
Rights of a widow or widower
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (g), if an annuitant dies and is survived by a widow or widower, the widow or widower is entitled to an annuity equal to 50 percent of an annuity computed under section 8415 with respect to the annuitant, (or one-half thereof, if designated for this purpose under section 8419 of this title), unless—

(A) the right to an annuity was waived under section 8416(a) (and no election was subsequently made under section 8416(d) nullifying the waiver); or

(B) in the case of a marriage after retirement, the annuitant did not file an election under section 8416(b) or (c), as the case may be.

(2) A spouse acquired after retirement is entitled to an annuity under this subsection (as provided in paragraph (1)) only upon electing this annuity instead of any other survivor benefit to which such spouse may be entitled under this subchapter or section 8424 or under another retirement system for Government employees.

(b)(1) If an employee or Member dies after completing at least 18 months of civilian service creditable under section 8411 and is survived by a widow or widower, the widow or widower is entitled to—

(A) an amount equal to the sum of—

(i) 50 percent of the final annual rate of basic pay (or of the average pay, if higher) of the employee or Member; and

(ii) $15,000 as adjusted under section 8462(e); and

(B) if the employee or Member completed at least 10 years of service, an annuity equal to 50 percent of an annuity computed under section 8415 with respect to the employee or Member, but without regard to subsection (f) of such section.

(2) The Office shall prescribe regulations under which the total amount payable to a widow or widower under paragraph (1)(A) may, at the election of the widow or widower, be paid—

(A) in a lump sum; or

(B) on a monthly basis—

(i) over a period of 3 years beginning on the day after the employee's or Member's death; or

(ii) over any other period established under the regulations.

Any method of payment provided for under subparagraph (B) shall be designed such that the present value of the benefits provided under such method is actuarially equivalent to the present value of a lump-sum payment under subparagraph (A).

(3) An amount payable under paragraph (1)(A) shall not be considered to be part of an annuity for purposes of this chapter.

(c)(1) If a former employee or Member dies after having separated from the service with title to a deferred annuity under section 8413 but before having established a valid claim for an annuity, and is survived by a widow or widower to whom married on the date of separation, the widow or widower may elect to receive—

(A) an annuity under paragraph (2); or

(B) the lump-sum credit, if the widow or widower is the individual who would be entitled to the lump-sum credit and if such widow or widower files application therefor with the Office.

(2)(A)(i) Subject to clause (ii) and subparagraph (B)(ii), the annuity of the widow or widower is equal to 50 percent of an annuity computed under section 8415 for the former employee or Member.

(ii)(I) In computing an amount under section 8415 for a former employee or Member (described in subclause (II)) in order to compute the annuity for a widow or widower under this subsection, the computation under section 8415 shall be made as if the former employee or Member had attained the applicable minimum retirement age under section 8412(h).

(II) This clause applies with respect to a former employee or Member who dies before having attained the applicable minimum retirement age under section 8412(h).

(B)(i) Notwithstanding the first sentence of subsection (d)(1), the annuity of the widow or widower of a former employee or Member under subparagraph (A)(ii) commences—

(I) on the day after the date on which the former employee or Member would have attained age 62 (or, if applicable, either age 60 if the former employee or Member completed at least 20 years of service, or the applicable minimum retirement age (under section 8412(h)) if the former employee or Member completed at least 30 years of service); or

(II) if the widow or widower so designates in the election, as of the day after the death of the former employee or Member.

(ii) The present value of the annuity of a widow or widower who chooses the earlier commencement date under clause (i)(II) shall be actuarially equivalent to the present value of an annuity computed for the widow or widower, determined as if the commencement date under clause (i)(I) were applicable.

(3)(A) Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply only in the case of an employee or Member who completes at least 10 years of service.

(B) Nothing in this subsection shall be considered to affect the provisions of this chapter relating to a lump-sum credit in the case of the widow or widower of a former employee or Member who dies after completing less than 10 years of service.

(d)(1) The annuity of a widow or widower under this section commences on the day after the death of the individual on whose service such annuity is based. This annuity and the right thereto terminate on the last day of the month before the widow or widower—

(A) dies; or

(B) except as provided in paragraph (3), remarries before becoming 55 years of age.

(2) In the case of a widow or widower whose annuity under this section is terminated because of remarriage before becoming 55 years of age, the annuity shall be restored at the same rate commencing on the day the remarriage is dissolved by death, divorce, or annulment, if—

(A) the widow or widower elects to receive this annuity instead of any other survivor benefit to which such widow or widower may be entitled (under this subchapter or section 8424 or under another retirement system for Government employees) by reason of the remarriage; and

(B) any lump sum paid on termination of the annuity is returned to the Fund.

(3) Paragraph (1)(B) (relating to termination of a survivor annuity because of a remarriage before age 55) shall not apply if the widow or widower was married for at least 30 years to the individual on whose service the survivor annuity is based.

(e) The requirement in paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(A) of section 8441 that the widow or widower of an annuitant, employee, or Member, or of a former employee or Member, have been married to such individual for at least 9 months immediately before the death of the individual in order to qualify as the widow or widower of such individual shall be deemed satisfied in any case in which the individual dies within the applicable 9-month period, if—

(1) the death of the individual was accidental; or

(2) the surviving spouse of the individual had been previously married to such individual and subsequently divorced, and the aggregate time married is at least 9 months.

(f)(1) Subject to paragraph (4), a survivor who is entitled to an annuity under subsection (a) shall also be entitled to a supplementary annuity under this subsection.

(2) A supplementary annuity under this subsection shall be equal to the lesser of—

(A) the amount by which the survivor's assumed CSRS annuity exceeds the annuity payable to such survivor under subsection (a); or

(B) the amount determined under paragraph (3).

(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amount under this paragraph for a survivor is the amount of widow's or widower's insurance benefits which would be payable to such survivor under title II of the Social Security Act (without regard to sections 202(e)(7), 202(f)(2), and 203 of such Act) based on the wages and self-employment income of the deceased annuitant, and determined—

(i) as of the date on which the annuitant died; and

(ii) as if the survivor had attained age 60 and made application for those benefits under subsection (e) or (f) of section 202 of such Act, as the case may be.

(B) Any computation or determination under this paragraph shall be made in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Social Security Act, except that in computing any primary insurance amount under section 215 of such Act for purposes of determining an amount under this subsection, subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 8421(b)(2) shall apply.

(4) A supplementary annuity under this subsection—

(A) shall be payable to a survivor only for calendar months ending before the calendar month in which such survivor first satisfies the minimum age requirement under section 202(e)(1)(B)(i) or 202(f)(1)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act, as the case may be;

(B) shall not be payable to a survivor who would not be entitled to benefits under subsection (e) or (f) of section 202 of the Social Security Act based on the wages and self-employment income of the deceased annuitant (determined, as of the date of the annuitant's death, as if the survivor had attained age 60 and made appropriate application for benefits, but without regard to any restriction under either such subsection relating to remarriage); and

(C) shall not be payable to a survivor for any calendar month in which such survivor is entitled (or would, on proper application, be entitled) to benefits under section 202(g) of the Social Security Act (relating to mother's and father's insurance benefits), or under section 202(e) or (f) of such Act by reason of having become disabled, based on the wages and self-employment income of the deceased annuitant.

(5) For the purpose of this subsection, the term "assumed CSRS annuity", as used in the case of a survivor, means the amount of the annuity to which such survivor would be entitled under subchapter III of chapter 83 of this title based on the service of the deceased annuitant, determined—

(A) as of the day after the date of the annuitant's death;

(B) as if the survivor had made appropriate application therefor; and

(C) as if the service of the deceased annuitant were creditable under such subchapter.

(6) An amount payable under this subsection shall be adjusted under section 8462 and shall otherwise be treated under this chapter in the same way as an amount payable under subsection (a).

(g)(1) If the widow or widower of an annuitant under section 8452 (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as a "disability annuitant") is determined under subsection (a) to be entitled to an annuity based on the service of such disability annuitant, the annuity of the widow or widower shall be equal to 50 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2) (or one-half thereof if designated for this purpose under section 8419 of this title), rather than of the amount referred to in subsection (a).

(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amount on which the annuity of the widow or widower of a disability annuitant is based shall be the amount of the annuity to which such disability annuitant was entitled, as computed under section 8452 (including appropriate reduction under subsection (a)(2) of such section and any adjustments under section 8462 allowed under section 8452), as of the day before the date of the disability annuitant's death.

(B)(i) In the case of a widow or widower entitled to an annuity based on the service of a disability annuitant who dies before age 62, the amount under clause (ii) shall apply instead of the amount which would otherwise apply under subparagraph (A).

(ii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), the amount of the annuity to which the disability annuitant was entitled as of the day before the date of death shall be considered to be the amount which would be computed with respect to such disability annuitant under section 8452(b) if the disability annuitant had attained age 62 on the day before date of death.

(II) For purposes of any such computation under section 8452(b)(2) pursuant to this clause, creditable service shall (in addition to the service which would otherwise be used under subparagraph (B)(i) of such section) include the period of time between date of death and the date of the sixty-second anniversary of the birth of the annuitant, and average pay shall be adjusted in accordance with subparagraph (B)(ii) of such section only through date of death.

(h) The following rules shall apply notwithstanding any other provision of this section:

(1) The annuity payable under this section to a widow or widower may not exceed the difference between—

(A) the amount of the annuity which would otherwise be payable to such widow or widower under this section; and

(B) the amount of the annuity payable to any former spouse of the deceased employee, Member, or annuitant, or former employee or Member, based on an election made under section 8417(b) or a court order previously issued or agreement previously entered into as described in section 8445(a).

(2) The amount payable under subsection (b)(1)(A) to a widow or widower may not exceed the difference between—

(A) the amount which would otherwise be payable to such widow or widower under such subsection; and

(B) the portion of such amount payable to any former spouse of the deceased employee, Member, or annuitant, or former employee or Member, based on a court order previously issued or agreement previously entered into.

(3) A lump-sum credit under subsection (c)(2) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as apply with respect to a lump-sum credit under section 8424(b).

(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, §101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 559; amended Pub. L. 99–556, title I, §120, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3134; Pub. L. 100–238, title I, §131(b), Jan. 8, 1988, 101 Stat. 1760; Pub. L. 105–61, title V, §518(b)(1), Oct. 10, 1997, 111 Stat. 1307.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(3), (4), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620, which is classified generally to chapter 7 (§301 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Title II of the Social Security Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§401 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42. Sections 202, 203, and 215 are classified to sections 402, 403, and 415, respectively, of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.

Amendments

1997—Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 105–61, §518(b)(1)(B), substituted "except as provided in paragraph (3), remarries" for "remarries".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–61, §518(b)(1)(A), added par. (3).

1988—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–238, §131(b)(1), inserted "(or one-half thereof, if designated for this purpose under section 8419 of this title)," after "with respect to the annuitant,".

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 100–238, §131(b)(2), inserted "(or one-half thereof if designated for this purpose under section 8419 of this title)" after "paragraph (2)".

1986—Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i)(I). Pub. L. 99–556 which directed that subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i)(I) of this section be amended generally was executed to subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i)(I) of this section, as the probable intent of Congress. Prior to the amendment, subcl. (I) read as follows: "on the day after the date on which the former employee or Member would have attained age 62; or".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–61 applicable with respect to remarriages occurring on or after Jan. 1, 1995, see section 518(c) of Pub. L. 105–61, set out as a note under section 8341 of this title.
5 U.S.C. § 8312 (2024) — Title 5: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES / Chapter 83 / Subchapter II / Section 8312: Conviction of certain offenses
Conviction of certain offenses
Status: in_force

(a) An individual, or his survivor or beneficiary, may not be paid annuity or retired pay on the basis of the service of the individual which is creditable toward the annuity or retired pay, subject to the exceptions in section 8311(2) and (3) of this title, if the individual—

(1) was convicted, before, on, or after September 1, 1954, of an offense named by subsection (b) of this section, to the extent provided by that subsection; or

(2) was convicted, before, on, or after September 26, 1961, of an offense named by subsection (c) of this section, to the extent provided by that subsection.

The prohibition on payment of annuity or retired pay applies—

(A) with respect to the offenses named by subsection (b) of this section, to the period after the date of the conviction or after September 1, 1954, whichever is later; and

(B) with respect to the offenses named by subsection (c) of this section, to the period after the date of conviction or after September 26, 1961, whichever is later.

(b) The following are the offenses to which subsection (a) of this section applies if the individual was convicted before, on, or after September 1, 1954:

(1) An offense within the purview of—

(A) section 792 (harboring or concealing persons), 793 (gathering, transmitting, or losing defense information), 794 (gathering or delivering defense information to aid foreign government), or 798 (disclosure of classified information), of chapter 37 (relating to espionage and censorship) of title 18;

(B) chapter 105 (relating to sabotage) of title 18;

(C) section 2381 (treason), 2382 (misprision of treason), 2383 (rebellion or insurrection), 2384 (seditious conspiracy), 2385 (advocating overthrow of government), 2387 (activities affecting armed forces generally), 2388 (activities affecting armed forces during war), 2389 (recruiting for service against United States), or 2390 (enlistment to serve against United States), of chapter 115 (relating to treason, sedition, and subversive activities) of title 18;

(D) section 10(b)(2), (3), or (4) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 766, 767), as in effect before August 30, 1954;

(E) section 16(a) or (b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 773), as in effect before August 30, 1954, insofar as the offense is committed with intent to injure the United States or with intent to secure an advantage to a foreign nation; or

(F) an earlier statute on which a statute named by subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of this paragraph (1) is based.

(2) An offense within the purview of—

(A) article 104 (aiding the enemy), article 103a (espionage), or article 106 (spies) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (chapter 47 of title 10) or an earlier article on which article 104 or article 106, as the case may be, is based; or

(B) a current article of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (or an earlier article on which the current article is based) not named by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph (2) on the basis of charges and specifications describing a violation of a statute named by paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of this subsection, if the executed sentence includes death, dishonorable discharge, or dismissal from the service, or if the defendant dies before execution of that sentence as finally approved.

(3) Perjury committed under the statutes of the United States or the District of Columbia—

(A) in falsely denying the commission of an act which constitutes an offense within the purview of—

(i) a statute named by paragraph (1) of this subsection; or

(ii) an article or statute named by paragraph (2) of this subsection insofar as the offense is within the purview of an article or statute named by paragraph (1) or (2) (A) of this subsection;

(B) in falsely testifying before a Federal grand jury, court of the United States, or court-martial with respect to his service as an employee in connection with a matter involving or relating to an interference with or endangerment of, or involving or relating to a plan or attempt to interfere with or endanger, the national security or defense of the United States; or

(C) in falsely testifying before a congressional committee in connection with a matter under inquiry before the congressional committee involving or relating to an interference with or endangerment of, or involving or relating to a plan or attempt to interfere with or endanger, the national security or defense of the United States.

(4) Subornation of perjury committed in connection with the false denial or false testimony of another individual as specified by paragraph (3) of this subsection.

(c) The following are the offenses to which subsection (a) of this section applies if the individual was convicted before, on, or after September 26, 1961:

(1) An offense within the purview of—

(A) section 2272 (violation of specific sections) or 2273 (violation of sections generally of chapter 23 of title 42) of title 42 insofar as the offense is committed with intent to injure the United States or with intent to secure an advantage to a foreign nation;

(B) section 2274 (communication of restricted data), 2275 (receipt of restricted data), or 2276 (tampering with restricted data) of title 42; or

(C) section 783 (conspiracy and communication or receipt of classified information) of title 50 or section 601 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 421) 1 (relating to intelligence identities).

(2) An offense within the purview of a current article of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (chapter 47 of title 10) or an earlier article on which the current article is based, as the case may be, on the basis of charges and specifications describing a violation of a statute named by paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of this subsection, if the executed sentence includes death, dishonorable discharge, or dismissal from the service, or if the defendant dies before execution of that sentence as finally approved.

(3) Perjury committed under the statutes of the United States or the District of Columbia in falsely denying the commission of an act which constitutes an offense within the purview of a statute named by paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(4) Subornation of perjury committed in connection with the false denial of another individual as specified by paragraph (3) of this subsection.

(d)(1) For purposes of subsections (b)(1) and (c)(1), an offense within the meaning of such subsections is established if the Attorney General of the United States certifies to the agency administering the annuity or retired pay concerned—

(A) that an individual subject to this chapter has been convicted by an impartial court of appropriate jurisdiction within a foreign country in circumstances in which the conduct violates the provisions of law enumerated in subsections (b)(1) and (c)(1), or would violate such provisions had such conduct taken place within the United States, and that such conviction is not being appealed or that final action has been taken on such appeal;

(B) that such conviction was obtained in accordance with procedures that provided the defendant due process rights comparable to such rights provided by the United States Constitution, and such conviction was based upon evidence which would have been admissible in the courts of the United States; and

(C) that such conviction occurred after the date of enactment of this subsection.

(2) Any certification made pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to review by the United States Court of Claims based upon the application of the individual concerned, or his or her attorney, alleging that any of the conditions set forth in subparagraphs 2 (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1), as certified by the Attorney General, have not been satisfied in his or her particular circumstances. Should the court determine that any of these conditions has not been satisfied in such case, the court shall order any annuity or retirement benefit to which the person concerned is entitled to be restored and shall order that any payments which may have been previously denied or withheld to be paid by the department or agency concerned.

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 559; Pub. L. 92–128, §2(b), Sept. 25, 1971, 85 Stat. 348; Pub. L. 99–569, title VI, §603, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3204; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title VI, §639(a), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2791; Pub. L. 103–359, title VIII, §805, Oct. 14, 1994, 108 Stat. 3441; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(c)(3), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1599.)

Historical and Revision Notes

DerivationU.S. CodeRevised Statutes and 
Statutes at Large

 
5 U.S.C. 2282. 
Sept. 26, 1961, Pub. L. 87–299, §1 "Sec. 1", 75 Stat. 640.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pars. (2), (3) and (4) of subsec. (b) of section 10 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 766, 767), as in effect before August 30, 1954, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(D), are covered by sections 2274, 2275 and 2276, respectively, of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Subsecs. (a) and (b) of section 16 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 773), as in effect before August 30, 1954, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(E), are covered by sections 2272 and 2273, respectively, of Title 42.

Articles 104, 106, and 106a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), are sections 904, 906, and 906a, respectively, of Title 10, Armed Forces. The Uniform Code of Military Justice, in its entirety, is set out in section 801 et seq. of Title 10.

The National Security Act of 1947, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(C), is act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, 61 Stat. 495, which was formerly classified principally to chapter 15 (§401 et seq.) of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to editorial reclassification in chapter 44 (§3001 et seq.) of Title 50. Section 601 of the Act is now classified to section 3121 of Title 50. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

The date of enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(C), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 103–359, which was approved Oct. 14, 1994.

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "article 103a (espionage), or article 106 (spies)" for "article 106 (spies), or article 106a (espionage)".

1994—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 103–337 substituted ", article 106 (spies), or article 106a (espionage)" for "or article 106 (spies)".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–359 added subsec. (d).

1986—Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 99–569 inserted provisions relating to section 601 of the National Security Act of 1947.

1971—Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 92–128 struck out ", 822 (conspiracy or evasion of apprehension during internal security emergency), or 823 (aiding evasion or apprehension during internal security emergency)" after "classified information)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–91 effective immediately after the amendments made by div. E (§§5001–5542) of Pub. L. 114–328 take effect as provided for in section 5542 of that Act (10 U.S.C. 801 note) [amendments effective Jan. 1, 2019], see section 1081(c)(4) of Pub. L. 115–91, set out as a note under section 801 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Section 639(b) of Pub. L. 103–337 provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 1994] and shall apply to persons convicted of espionage under section 906a of title 10, United States Code (article 106a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), on or after the date of the enactment of this Act."

1 See References in Text note below.

2 So in original. Probably should be "subparagraph".
5 U.S.C. § 7521 (2024) — Title 5: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES / Chapter 75 / Subchapter III / Section 7521: Actions against administrative law judges
Actions against administrative law judges
Status: in_force

(a) An action may be taken against an administrative law judge appointed under section 3105 of this title by the agency in which the administrative law judge is employed only for good cause established and determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board on the record after opportunity for hearing before the Board.

(b) The actions covered by this section are—

(1) a removal;

(2) a suspension;

(3) a reduction in grade;

(4) a reduction in pay; and

(5) a furlough of 30 days or less;

but do not include—

(A) a suspension or removal under section 7532 of this title;

(B) a reduction-in-force action under section 3502 of this title; or

(C) any action initiated under section 1215 of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 95–454, title II, §204(a), Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1137; amended Pub. L. 101–12, §9(a)(2), Apr. 10, 1989, 103 Stat. 35.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 7521, Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 528; Pub. L. 95–251, §2(a)(1), Mar. 27, 1978, 92 Stat. 183, related to removal of an administrative law judge appointed under section 3105 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 95–454, §204(a).

Amendments

1989—Subsec. (b)(C). Pub. L. 101–12 substituted "1215" for "1206".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–12 effective 90 days following Apr. 10, 1989, see section 11 of Pub. L. 101–12, set out as a note under section 1201 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective 90 days after Oct. 13, 1978, see section 907 of Pub. L. 95–454, set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 1101 of this title.
5 U.S.C. § 3345 (2024) — Title 5: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES / Chapter 33 / Subchapter III / Section 3345: Acting officer
Acting officer
Status: in_force

(a) If an officer of an Executive agency (including the Executive Office of the President, and other than the Government Accountability Office) whose appointment to office is required to be made by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, dies, resigns, or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office—

(1) the first assistant to the office of such officer shall perform the functions and duties of the office temporarily in an acting capacity subject to the time limitations of section 3346;

(2) notwithstanding paragraph (1), the President (and only the President) may direct a person who serves in an office for which appointment is required to be made by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to perform the functions and duties of the vacant office temporarily in an acting capacity subject to the time limitations of section 3346; or

(3) notwithstanding paragraph (1), the President (and only the President) may direct an officer or employee of such Executive agency to perform the functions and duties of the vacant office temporarily in an acting capacity, subject to the time limitations of section 3346, if—

(A) during the 365-day period preceding the date of death, resignation, or beginning of inability to serve of the applicable officer, the officer or employee served in a position in such agency for not less than 90 days; and

(B) the rate of pay for the position described under subparagraph (A) is equal to or greater than the minimum rate of pay payable for a position at GS–15 of the General Schedule.

(b)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1), a person may not serve as an acting officer for an office under this section, if—

(A) during the 365-day period preceding the date of the death, resignation, or beginning of inability to serve, such person—

(i) did not serve in the position of first assistant to the office of such officer; or

(ii) served in the position of first assistant to the office of such officer for less than 90 days; and

(B) the President submits a nomination of such person to the Senate for appointment to such office.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any person if—

(A) such person is serving as the first assistant to the office of an officer described under subsection (a);

(B) the office of such first assistant is an office for which appointment is required to be made by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; and

(C) the Senate has approved the appointment of such person to such office.

(c)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1), the President (and only the President) may direct an officer who is nominated by the President for reappointment for an additional term to the same office in an Executive department without a break in service, to continue to serve in that office subject to the time limitations in section 3346, until such time as the Senate has acted to confirm or reject the nomination, notwithstanding adjournment sine die.

(2) For purposes of this section and sections 3346, 3347, 3348, 3349, 3349a, and 3349d, the expiration of a term of office is an inability to perform the functions and duties of such office.

(Added Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title I, §151(b), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–611; amended Pub. L. 108–271, §8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The General Schedule, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(B), is set out under section 5332 of this title.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 3345, Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 425; Pub. L. 100–398, §7(a)(1), (2), Aug. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 988, provided for details to office of head of Executive agency or military department, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title I, §151(b), (d)(1), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–611, 2681–616, effective 30 days after Oct. 21, 1998.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–271 substituted "Government Accountability Office" for "General Accounting Office" in introductory provisions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title I, §151(d), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–616, provided that:

"(1) Effective date.—Subject to paragraph (2), this section [enacting this section and sections 3346 to 3349d of this title, repealing former sections 3345 to 3349 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 3301 of this title] and the amendments made by this section shall take effect 30 days after the date of enactment of this section [Oct. 21, 1998].

"(2) Application.—

"(A) In general.—This section shall apply to any office that becomes vacant after the effective date of this section.

"(B) Immediate application of time limitation.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for any office vacant on the effective date of this section, the time limitations under section 3346 of title 5, United States Code (as amended by this section) shall apply to such office. Such time limitations shall apply as though such office first became vacant on the effective date of this section.

"(C) Certain nominations.—If the President submits to the Senate the nomination of any person after the effective date of this section for an office for which such person had been nominated before such date, the next nomination of such person after such date shall be considered a first nomination of such person to that office for purposes of sections 3345 through 3349 and section 3349d of title 5, United States Code (as amended by this section)."

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 13472. Executive Branch Responsibilities With Respect To Orders of Succession

Ex. Ord. No. 13472, Sept. 11, 2008, 73 F.R. 53353, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the Federal Government to ensure that each executive branch agency can perform its essential functions and remain an effectively functioning part of the Federal Government under all conditions. Accordingly, each agency shall take all appropriate actions to establish, maintain, and, as necessary, revise an order of succession, or to propose presidential action to establish or revise an order of succession.

Sec. 2. Definitions. As used in this order:

(a) "agency" means:

(i) an executive agency as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, other than the Government Accountability Office; and

(ii) the United States Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission; and

(b) "order of succession" means a list of officials by position who shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the office of the head of the agency in the event that the office-holder has died, resigned, or otherwise become unable to perform the functions and duties of the office. "Order of succession" does not include any order, rule, memorandum, or other document delegating or partially delegating the authority of an office.

Sec. 3. Orders of Succession Requiring Presidential Action.

(a) Each agency for which presidential action is required to establish an order of succession shall draft a proposed order of succession if no such order exists and, not later than 30 days from the date of this order, send such proposed draft order to the Counsel to the President for review and comment.

(b) Each agency described in subsection 3(a) of this order shall send any proposed updates or revisions to the agency's order of succession to the Counsel to the President for review and comment.

(c) Upon completion of the requirements set forth by subsections (a) or (b) of this section with respect to a proposed order, the agency shall submit the proposed order to the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with Executive Order 11030, as amended.

Sec. 4. Orders of Succession Not Requiring Presidential Action. (a) Each agency for which presidential action is not required to establish an order of succession because of the agency's existing legal authority shall establish and maintain such order in accordance with applicable law and any applicable guidance issued by the President or the Secretary of Homeland Security, including the laws and guidance regarding continuity plans and programs for the executive branch.

(b) Each agency described in subsection 4(a) of this order shall update and revise its order of succession as necessary. Before implementing any revisions to its order of succession, such agency shall send the proposed revisions to the Counsel to the President for review and comment.

(c) Not later than 30 days from the date of this order, and not later than 7 days from the issuance date of any subsequent final revision to an existing order of succession, each agency described in subsection 4(a) of this order shall provide a copy of its order of succession to the Counsel to the President, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law to a department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to delegate the President's authority under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq., to designate individuals to perform the functions and duties of a vacant office temporarily in an acting capacity.

(c) This order shall be implemented in a manner consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(d) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

George W. Bush.      

EXECUTIVE DOCUMENTS DESIGNATING ORDERS OF SUCCESSION

Provisions relating to the exercise of Presidential authorities to designate an order of succession for executive agencies and offices are contained in the following:

Council on Environmental Quality

Memorandum of President of the United States, Sept. 6, 2019, 84 F.R. 48227, as corrected Sept. 16, 2019, 84 F.R. 48549.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Jan. 13, 2017, 82 F.R. 7627, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Sept. 6, 2019, 84 F.R. 48227.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Mar. 13, 2015, 80 F.R. 14289, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Jan. 13, 2017, 82 F.R. 7627.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Sept. 18, 2008, 73 F.R. 54487, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Mar. 13, 2015, 80 F.R. 14289.

Department of Agriculture

Ex. Ord. No. 13612, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31153.

Ex. Ord. No. 13542, May 13, 2010, 75 F.R. 27921, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13612, §3, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31154.

Ex. Ord. No. 13241, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66258, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13261, §4(a), Mar. 19, 2002, 67 F.R. 13243; Ex. Ord. No. 13484, §§1, 2, Jan. 9, 2009, 74 F.R. 2285, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13542, §3, May 13, 2010, 75 F.R. 27922.

Ex. Ord. No. 11957, Jan. 13, 1977, 42 F.R. 3295, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13241, §4, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66259.

Department of Commerce

Ex. Ord. No. 13613, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31155.

Ex. Ord. No. 13242, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66260, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13261, §4(b), Mar. 19, 2002, 67 F.R. 13243, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13613, §3, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31155.

Ex. Ord. No. 11880, Oct. 2, 1975, 40 F.R. 46089, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12608, Sept. 9, 1987, 52 F.R. 34617; Ex. Ord. No. 12998, Apr. 5, 1996, 61 F.R. 15873, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13242, §4, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66261.

Department of Defense

Ex. Ord. No. 13963, Dec. 10, 2020, 85 F.R. 81331.

Ex. Ord. No. 13533, Mar. 1, 2010, 75 F.R. 10163, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13963, §3, Dec. 10, 2020, 85 F.R. 81332.

Ex. Ord. No. 13394, Dec. 22, 2005, 70 F.R. 76665, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13533, §3, Mar. 1, 2010, 75 F.R. 10164.

Ex. Ord. No. 13000, Apr. 24, 1996, 61 F.R. 18483, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13394, §5, Dec. 22, 2005, 70 F.R. 76666.

Department of Health and Human Services

Ex. Ord. No. 13461, Feb. 15, 2008, 73 F.R. 9437.

Ex. Ord. No. 13250, Dec. 28, 2001, 67 F.R. 1597, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13261, §4(h), Mar. 19, 2002, 67 F.R. 13244, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13461, §4, Feb. 15, 2008, 73 F.R. 9438.

Department of Homeland Security

For order of succession within the Department of Homeland Security, see Ex. Ord. No. 13286, §88, Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R. 10632, as amended, set out as a note under section 111 of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Ex. Ord. No. 13243, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66262, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13261, §4(c), Mar. 19, 2002, 67 F.R. 13244.

Ex. Ord. No. 11274, Mar. 30, 1966, 31 F.R. 5243, as amended by Pub. L. 101–509, title V, §529 [title I, §112(c)], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1427, 1454, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13243, §4, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66263.

Department of Justice

Ex. Ord. No. 13787, Mar. 31, 2017, 82 F.R. 16723.

Ex. Ord. No. 13775, Feb. 9, 2017, 82 F.R. 10697, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13787, §3, Mar. 31, 2017, 82 F.R. 16723.

Ex. Ord. No. 13762, Jan. 13, 2017, 82 F.R. 7619, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13775, §3, Feb. 9, 2017, 82 F.R. 10697.

Ex. Ord. No. 13557, Nov. 4, 2010, 75 F.R. 68679, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13762, §3 Jan. 13, 2017, 82 F.R. 7619.

Ex. Ord. No. 13481, Dec. 9, 2008, 73 F.R. 75531, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13557, §3, Nov. 4, 2010, 75 F.R. 68679.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec. 8, 2006, 71 F.R. 74753, superseded by Ex. Ord. No. 13481, §3, Dec. 9, 2008, 73 F.R. 75531.

Department of Labor

Ex. Ord. No. 13755, Dec. 23, 2016, 81 F.R. 96329.

Ex. Ord. No. 13245, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66268, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13261, §4(e), Mar. 19, 2002, 67 F.R. 13244, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13755, §3, Dec. 23, 2016, 81 F.R. 96329.

Ex. Ord. No. 10513, Jan. 19, 1954, 19 F.R. 369, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13245, §4, Dec. 8, 2001, 66 F.R. 66269.

Department of State

Ex. Ord. No. 13251, Dec. 28, 2001, 67 F.R. 1599, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13261, §4(i), Mar. 19, 2002, 67 F.R. 13244.

Ex. Ord. No. 12343, Jan. 27, 1982, 47 F.R. 4225, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13251, §4, Dec. 28, 2001, 67 F.R. 1599.

Department of the Air Force

Ex. Ord. No. 12909, Apr. 22, 1994, 59 F.R. 21909.

Department of the Army

Ex. Ord. No. 12908, Apr. 22, 1994, 59 F.R. 21907.

Department of the Interior

Ex. Ord. No. 13915, Apr. 14, 2020, 85 F.R. 21733.

Ex. Ord. No. 13244, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66267, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13261, §4(d), Mar. 19, 2002, 67 F.R. 13244, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13915, §4, Apr. 14, 2020, 85 F.R. 21734.

Ex. Ord. No. 11487, Oct. 6, 1969, 34 F.R. 15593, as amended by Pub. L. 101–509, title V, §529 [title I, §112(c)], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1427, 1454, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13244, §4, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66267.

Department of the Navy

Ex. Ord. No. 12879, Nov. 8, 1993, 58 F.R. 59929.

Department of the Treasury

Ex. Ord. No. 13735, Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54709.

Ex. Ord. No. 13246, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66270, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13261, §4(f), Mar. 19, 2002, 67 F.R. 13244, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13735, §4, Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54709.

Ex. Ord. No. 11822, Dec. 10, 1974, 39 F.R. 43275, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13246, §4, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66270.

Department of Transportation

Ex. Ord. No. 13485, Jan. 9, 2009, 74 F.R. 2287.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Ex. Ord. No. 13736, Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54711.

Ex. Ord. No. 13247, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66271, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13261, §4(g), Mar. 19, 2002, 67 F.R. 13244, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13736, §3(a), (b), Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54711.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Feb. 12, 2003, 68 F.R. 10141, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13736, §3(d), Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54711.

Environmental Protection Agency

Ex. Ord. No. 13973, Jan. 8, 2021, 86 F.R. 3733.

Ex. Ord. No. 13763, Jan. 13, 2017, 82 F.R. 7621, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13973, §3, Jan. 8, 2021, 86 F.R. 3734.

Ex. Ord. No. 13737, Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54713, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13763, §3, Jan. 13, 2017, 82 F.R. 7622.

Ex. Ord. No. 13614, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31157, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13737, §3, Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54714.

Ex. Ord. No. 13261, Mar. 19, 2002, 67 F.R. 13243, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13344, July 7, 2004, 69 F.R. 41747, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13614, §3, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31157, amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13736, §3(b), Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54711.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Memorandum of President of the United States, Feb. 9, 2007, 72 F.R. 7343.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Memorandum of President of the United States, Nov. 26, 2002, 67 F.R. 79513, terminated upon the transfer of the authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Department of Homeland Security.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

Memorandum of President of the United States, Jan. 13, 2017, 82 F.R. 7629.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec. 23, 2016, 81 F.R. 96333.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Oct. 17, 2014, 79 F.R. 63803.

General Services Administration

Memorandum of President of the United States, Sept. 2, 2020, 85 F.R. 55585.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Sept. 20, 2013, 78 F.R. 59161, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Sept. 2, 2020, 85 F.R. 55585.

Millennium Challenge Corporation

Memorandum of President of the United States, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31161.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Memorandum of President of the United States, Jan. 16, 2009, 74 F.R. 4099.

National Archives and Records Administration

Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec. 23, 2016, 81 F.R. 96331.

Memorandum of President of the United States, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31163, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Dec. 23, 2016, 81 F.R. 96331.

National Endowment for the Arts

Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec. 23, 2016, 81 F.R. 96335.

National Endowment for the Humanities

Memorandum of President of the United States, Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54717.

Office of Management and Budget

Ex. Ord. No. 13615, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31159.

Ex. Ord. No. 13370, Jan. 13, 2005, 70 F.R. 3137, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13615, §3, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31159.

Office of Personnel Management

Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec. 10, 2020, 85 F.R. 81775.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54715, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Dec. 10, 2020, 85 F.R. 81775.

Memorandum of President of the United States, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31165, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Aug. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 54715.

Memorandum of President of the United States, May 5, 2005, 70 F.R. 28773, superseded by Memorandum of President of the United States, May 21, 2012, 77 F.R. 31165.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Mar. 11, 2003, 68 F.R. 12281, superseded by Memorandum of President of the United States, May 5, 2005, 70 F.R. 28773.

Office of Science and Technology Policy

Memorandum of President of the United States, Jan. 13, 2017, 82 F.R. 7625.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Aug. 5, 2009, 74 F.R. 39871, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Jan. 13, 2017, 82 F.R. 7625.

Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Memorandum of President of the United States, Sept. 20, 2013, 78 F.R. 59159.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Mar. 8, 2011, 76 F.R. 13499, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §4, Sept. 20, 2013, 78 F.R. 59159.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Oct. 3, 2008, 73 F.R. 58869, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §5, Mar. 8, 2011, 76 F.R. 13499.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec. 20, 2005, 70 F.R. 76375, superseded by Memorandum of President of the United States, §4, Oct. 3, 2008, 73 F.R. 58869.

Office of the United States Trade Representative

Memorandum of President of the United States, Feb. 20, 2007, 72 F.R. 8085.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

Memorandum of President of the United States, June 6, 2011, 76 F.R. 33613.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Jan. 16, 2009, 74 F.R. 4101, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, June 6, 2011, 76 F.R. 33613.

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Memorandum of President of the United States, Apr. 2, 2020, 85 F.R. 19637.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Feb. 1, 2013, 78 F.R. 8953, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Apr. 2, 2020, 85 F.R. 19637.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec. 9, 2008, 73 F.R. 75533, superseded by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Feb. 1, 2013, 78 F.R. 8953.

Social Security Administration

Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec. 23, 2016, 81 F.R. 96337.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Oct. 17, 2014, 79 F.R. 63805, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Dec. 23, 2016, 81 F.R. 96337.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Oct. 17, 2008, 73 F.R. 62845, revoked by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Oct. 17, 2014, 79 F.R. 63805.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Apr. 17, 2006, 71 F.R. 20333, superseded by Memorandum of President of the United States, §3, Oct. 17, 2008, 73 F.R. 62845.

United States Agency for International Development

Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec. 9, 2008, 73 F.R. 75535.

United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico

Memorandum of President of the United States, Aug. 31, 2009, 74 F.R. 45533.

United States International Development Finance Corporation

Memorandum of President of the United States, Jan. 8, 2021, 86 F.R. 2949.
5 U.S.C. § 2302 (2024) — Title 5: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES / Chapter 23 / Section 2302: Prohibited personnel practices
Prohibited personnel practices
Status: in_force

(a)(1) For the purpose of this title, "prohibited personnel practice" means any action described in subsection (b).

(2) For the purpose of this section—

(A) "personnel action" means—

(i) an appointment;

(ii) a promotion;

(iii) an action under chapter 75 of this title or other disciplinary or corrective action;

(iv) a detail, transfer, or reassignment;

(v) a reinstatement;

(vi) a restoration;

(vii) a reemployment;

(viii) a performance evaluation under chapter 43 of this title or under title 38;

(ix) a decision concerning pay, benefits, or awards, or concerning education or training if the education or training may reasonably be expected to lead to an appointment, promotion, performance evaluation, or other action described in this subparagraph;

(x) a decision to order psychiatric testing or examination;

(xi) the implementation or enforcement of any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement; and

(xii) any other significant change in duties, responsibilities, or working conditions;

with respect to an employee in, or applicant for, a covered position in an agency, and in the case of an alleged prohibited personnel practice described in subsection (b)(8), an employee or applicant for employment in a Government corporation as defined in section 9101 of title 31;

(B) "covered position" means, with respect to any personnel action, any position in the competitive service, a career appointee position in the Senior Executive Service, or a position in the excepted service, but does not include any position which is, prior to the personnel action—

(i) excepted from the competitive service because of its confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character; or

(ii) excluded from the coverage of this section by the President based on a determination by the President that it is necessary and warranted by conditions of good administration;

(C) "agency" means an Executive agency and the Government Publishing Office, but does not include—

(i) a Government corporation, except in the case of an alleged prohibited personnel practice described under subsection (b)(8) or section 2302(b)(9)(A)(i), (B), (C), or (D);

(ii)(I) the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National Reconnaissance Office; and

(II) as determined by the President, any executive agency or unit thereof the principal function of which is the conduct of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities, provided that the determination be made prior to a personnel action; or

(iii) the Government Accountability Office; and

(D) "disclosure" means a formal or informal communication or transmission, but does not include a communication concerning policy decisions that lawfully exercise discretionary authority unless the employee or applicant providing the disclosure reasonably believes that the disclosure evidences—

(i) any violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or

(ii) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

(b) Any employee who has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action, shall not, with respect to such authority—

(1) discriminate for or against any employee or applicant for employment—

(A) on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, as prohibited under section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–16);

(B) on the basis of age, as prohibited under sections 12 and 15 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 631, 633a);

(C) on the basis of sex, as prohibited under section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(d));

(D) on the basis of handicapping condition, as prohibited under section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791); or

(E) on the basis of marital status or political affiliation, as prohibited under any law, rule, or regulation;

(2) solicit or consider any recommendation or statement, oral or written, with respect to any individual who requests or is under consideration for any personnel action unless such recommendation or statement is based on the personal knowledge or records of the person furnishing it and consists of—

(A) an evaluation of the work performance, ability, aptitude, or general qualifications of such individual; or

(B) an evaluation of the character, loyalty, or suitability of such individual;

(3) coerce the political activity of any person (including the providing of any political contribution or service), or take any action against any employee or applicant for employment as a reprisal for the refusal of any person to engage in such political activity;

(4) deceive or willfully obstruct any person with respect to such person's right to compete for employment;

(5) influence any person to withdraw from competition for any position for the purpose of improving or injuring the prospects of any other person for employment;

(6) grant any preference or advantage not authorized by law, rule, or regulation to any employee or applicant for employment (including defining the scope or manner of competition or the requirements for any position) for the purpose of improving or injuring the prospects of any particular person for employment;

(7) appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a civilian position any individual who is a relative (as defined in section 3110(a)(3) of this title) of such employee if such position is in the agency in which such employee is serving as a public official (as defined in section 3110(a)(2) of this title) or over which such employee exercises jurisdiction or control as such an official;

(8) take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take, a personnel action with respect to any employee or applicant for employment because of—

(A) any disclosure of information by an employee or applicant which the employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences—

(i) any violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or

(ii) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety,

if such disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law and if such information is not specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs;

(B) any disclosure to the Special Counsel, or to the Inspector General of an agency or another employee designated by the head of the agency to receive such disclosures, of information which the employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences—

(i) any violation (other than a violation of this section) of any law, rule, or regulation, or

(ii) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or

(C) any disclosure to Congress (including any committee of Congress) by any employee of an agency or applicant for employment at an agency of information described in subparagraph (B) that is—

(i) not classified; or

(ii) if classified—

(I) has been classified by the head of an agency that is not an element of the intelligence community (as defined by section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)); and

(II) does not reveal intelligence sources and methods.1

(9) take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take, any personnel action against any employee or applicant for employment because of—

(A) the exercise of any appeal, complaint, or grievance right granted by any law, rule, or regulation—

(i) with regard to remedying a violation of paragraph (8); or

(ii) other than with regard to remedying a violation of paragraph (8);

(B) testifying for or otherwise lawfully assisting any individual in the exercise of any right referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) or (ii);

(C) cooperating with or disclosing information to the Inspector General (or any other component responsible for internal investigation or review) of an agency, or the Special Counsel, in accordance with applicable provisions of law; or

(D) refusing to obey an order that would require the individual to violate a law, rule, or regulation;

(10) discriminate for or against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of conduct which does not adversely affect the performance of the employee or applicant or the performance of others; except that nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit an agency from taking into account in determining suitability or fitness any conviction of the employee or applicant for any crime under the laws of any State, of the District of Columbia, or of the United States;

(11)(A) knowingly take, recommend, or approve any personnel action if the taking of such action would violate a veterans' preference requirement; or

(B) knowingly fail to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action if the failure to take such action would violate a veterans' preference requirement;

(12) take or fail to take any other personnel action if the taking of or failure to take such action violates any law, rule, or regulation implementing, or directly concerning, the merit system principles contained in section 2301 of this title;

(13) implement or enforce any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement, if such policy, form, or agreement—

(A) does not contain the following statement: "These provisions are consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee obligations, rights, or liabilities created by existing statute or Executive order relating to (1) classified information, (2) communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General or the Office of Special Counsel of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other whistleblower protection. The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights, sanctions, and liabilities created by controlling Executive orders and statutory provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are controlling."; or

(B) prohibits or restricts an employee or applicant for employment from disclosing to Congress, the Special Counsel, the Inspector General of an agency, or any other agency component responsible for internal investigation or review any information that relates to any violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or any other whistleblower protection; or

(14) access the medical record of another employee or an applicant for employment as a part of, or otherwise in furtherance of, any conduct described in paragraphs (1) through (13).

This subsection shall not be construed to authorize the withholding of information from Congress or the taking of any personnel action against an employee who discloses information to Congress. For purposes of paragraph (8), (i) any presumption relating to the performance of a duty by an employee whose conduct is the subject of a disclosure as defined under subsection (a)(2)(D) may be rebutted by substantial evidence, and (ii) a determination as to whether an employee or applicant reasonably believes that such employee or applicant has disclosed information that evidences any violation of law, rule, regulation, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety shall be made by determining whether a disinterested observer with knowledge of the essential facts known to and readily ascertainable by the employee or applicant could reasonably conclude that the actions of the Government evidence such violations, mismanagement, waste, abuse, or danger.

(c)(1) In this subsection—

(A) the term "new employee" means an individual—

(i) appointed to a position as an employee on or after the date of enactment of this subsection; and

(ii) who has not previously served as an employee; and

(B) the term "whistleblower protections" means the protections against and remedies for a prohibited personnel practice described in paragraph (8) or subparagraph (A)(i), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (9) of subsection (b).

(2) The head of each agency shall be responsible for—

(A) preventing prohibited personnel practices;

(B) complying with and enforcing applicable civil service laws, rules, and regulations and other aspects of personnel management; and

(C) ensuring, in consultation with the Special Counsel and the Inspector General of the agency, that employees of the agency are informed of the rights and remedies available to the employees under this chapter and chapter 12, including—

(i) information with respect to whistleblower protections available to new employees during a probationary period;

(ii) the role of the Office of Special Counsel and the Merit Systems Protection Board with respect to whistleblower protections; and

(iii) the means by which, with respect to information that is otherwise required by law or Executive order to be kept classified in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs, an employee may make a lawful disclosure of the information to—

(I) the Special Counsel;

(II) the Inspector General of an agency;

(III) Congress (including any committee of Congress with respect to information that is not classified or, if classified, has been classified by the head of an agency that is not an element of the intelligence community and does not reveal intelligence sources and methods); or

(IV) another employee of the agency who is designated to receive such a disclosure.

(3) The head of each agency shall ensure that the information described in paragraph (2) is provided to each new employee of the agency not later than 180 days after the date on which the new employee is appointed.

(4) The head of each agency shall make available information regarding whistleblower protections applicable to employees of the agency on the public website of the agency and on any online portal that is made available only to employees of the agency, if such portal exists.

(5) Any employee to whom the head of an agency delegates authority for any aspect of personnel management shall, within the limits of the scope of the delegation, be responsible for the activities described in paragraph (2).

(d) This section shall not be construed to extinguish or lessen any effort to achieve equal employment opportunity through affirmative action or any right or remedy available to any employee or applicant for employment in the civil service under—

(1) section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–16), prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;

(2) sections 12 and 15 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 631, 633a), prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age;

(3) under section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(d)), prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex;

(4) section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791), prohibiting discrimination on the basis of handicapping condition; or

(5) the provisions of any law, rule, or regulation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of marital status or political affiliation.

(e)(1) For the purpose of this section, the term "veterans' preference requirement" means any of the following provisions of law:

(A) Sections 2108, 3305(b), 3309, 3310, 3311, 3312, 3313, 3314, 3315, 3316, 3317(b), 3318, 3320, 3351, 3352, 3363, 3501, 3502(b), 3504, and 4303(e) and (with respect to a preference eligible referred to in section 7511(a)(1)(B)) subchapter II of chapter 75 and section 7701.

(B) Sections 943(c)(2) and 1784(c) of title 10.

(C) Section 1308(b) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

(D) Section 301(c) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980.

(E) Sections 106(f),1 7281(e), and 7802(5) 1 of title 38.

(F) Section 1005(a) of title 39.

(G) Any other provision of law that the Director of the Office of Personnel Management designates in regulations as being a veterans' preference requirement for the purposes of this subsection.

(H) Any regulation prescribed under subsection (b) or (c) of section 1302 and any other regulation that implements a provision of law referred to in any of the preceding subparagraphs.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, no authority to order corrective action shall be available in connection with a prohibited personnel practice described in subsection (b)(11). Nothing in this paragraph shall be considered to affect any authority under section 1215 (relating to disciplinary action).

(f)(1) A disclosure shall not be excluded from subsection (b)(8) because—

(A) the disclosure was made to a supervisor or to a person who participated in an activity that the employee or applicant reasonably believed to be covered by subsection (b)(8)(A)(i) and (ii);

(B) the disclosure revealed information that had been previously disclosed;

(C) of the employee's or applicant's motive for making the disclosure;

(D) the disclosure was not made in writing;

(E) the disclosure was made while the employee was off duty;

(F) the disclosure was made before the date on which the individual was appointed or applied for appointment to a position; or

(G) of the amount of time which has passed since the occurrence of the events described in the disclosure.

(2) If a disclosure is made during the normal course of duties of an employee, the principal job function of whom is to regularly investigate and disclose wrongdoing (referred to in this paragraph as the "disclosing employee"), the disclosure shall not be excluded from subsection (b)(8) if the disclosing employee demonstrates that an employee who has the authority to take, direct other individuals to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action with respect to the disclosing employee took, failed to take, or threatened to take or fail to take a personnel action with respect to the disclosing employee in reprisal for the disclosure made by the disclosing employee.

(Added Pub. L. 95–454, title I, §101(a), Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1114; amended Pub. L. 101–12, §4, Apr. 10, 1989, 103 Stat. 32; Pub. L. 101–474, §5(d), Oct. 30, 1990, 104 Stat. 1099; Pub. L. 102–378, §2(5), Oct. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 1346; Pub. L. 103–94, §8(c), Oct. 6, 1993, 107 Stat. 1007; Pub. L. 103–359, title V, §501(c), Oct. 14, 1994, 108 Stat. 3429; Pub. L. 103–424, §5, Oct. 29, 1994, 108 Stat. 4363; Pub. L. 104–197, title III, §315(b)(2), Sept. 16, 1996, 110 Stat. 2416, Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XI, §1122(a)(1), title XVI, §1615(b), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2687, 2741; Pub. L. 105–339, §6(a), (b), (c)(2), Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3187, 3188; Pub. L. 108–271, §8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title IX, §931(a)(1), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4575; Pub. L. 112–199, title I, §§101(a), (b)(1)(B), (2)(B), (C), 102–104(b)(1), 105, 112, Nov. 27, 2012, 126 Stat. 1465–1468, 1472; Pub. L. 112–277, title V, §505(a), Jan. 14, 2013, 126 Stat. 2478; Pub. L. 113–235, div. H, title I, §1301(b), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2537; Pub. L. 114–113, div. J, title II, §238, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2700; Pub. L. 115–40, §2, June 14, 2017, 131 Stat. 861; Pub. L. 115–73, title I, §§103, 107(a)(1), Oct. 26, 2017, 131 Stat. 1236, 1238; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1097(b)(1)(B), (c)(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1616, 1618; Pub. L. 116–92, div. E, title LVII, §5721, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2175; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XI, §1138, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3905.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 1308(b) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(C), is classified to section 3198(b) of Title 16, Conservation.

Section 301(c) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(D), is classified to section 3941(c) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Section 106(f) of title 38, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(E), was enacted subsequent to the enactment of subsec. (e) of this section.

Section 7802(5) of title 38, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(E), was redesignated section 7802(e) of title 38 by Pub. L. 108–170, title III, §304(b)(3), Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2059.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b)(13). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted "agreement—" for "agreement", designated remainder of existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted "or the Office of Special Counsel" after "Inspector General", and added subpar. (B).

2019—Subsec. (b)(8)(C). Pub. L. 116–92, §5721(1), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iii)(III). Pub. L. 116–92, §5721(2), inserted "(including any committee of Congress with respect to information that is not classified or, if classified, has been classified by the head of an agency that is not an element of the intelligence community and does not reveal intelligence sources and methods)" after "Congress".

2017—Subsec. (b)(9)(C). Pub. L. 115–91, §1097(c)(1)(A), inserted "(or any other component responsible for internal investigation or review)" after "Inspector General".

Subsec. (b)(9)(D). Pub. L. 115–40 struck out "for" after "(D)" and inserted ", rule, or regulation" after "a law".

Subsec. (b)(14). Pub. L. 115–73, §103, added par. (14).

Subsecs. (c) to (f). Pub. L. 115–91, §1097(b)(1)(B), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (c) to (e) as (d) to (f), respectively.

Pub. L. 115–73, §107(a)(1), redesignated subsecs. (d) to (f) as (c) to (e), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (c) which read as follows: "The head of each agency shall be responsible for the prevention of prohibited personnel practices, for the compliance with and enforcement of applicable civil service laws, rules, and regulations, and other aspects of personnel management, and for ensuring (in consultation with the Office of Special Counsel) that agency employees are informed of the rights and remedies available to them under this chapter and chapter 12 of this title, including how to make a lawful disclosure of information that is specifically required by law or Executive order to be kept classified in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs to the Special Counsel, the Inspector General of an agency, Congress, or other agency employee designated to receive such disclosures. Any individual to whom the head of an agency delegates authority for personnel management, or for any aspect thereof, shall be similarly responsible within the limits of the delegation."

Subsec. (f)(1)(F), (G). Pub. L. 115–91, §1097(c)(1)(B)(i), added subpar. (F) and redesignated former subpar. (F) as (G).

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 115–91, §1097(c)(1)(B)(ii), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "If a disclosure is made during the normal course of duties of an employee, the disclosure shall not be excluded from subsection (b)(8) if any employee who has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action with respect to the employee making the disclosure, took, failed to take, or threatened to take or fail to take a personnel action with respect to that employee in reprisal for the disclosure."

2015—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(viii). Pub. L. 114–113 inserted "or under title 38" after "chapter 43 of this title".

2013—Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 112–277 added cl. (ii) and struck out former cl. (ii) which read as follows:

"(I) the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National Reconnaissance Office; and

"(II) as determined by the President, any Executive agency or unit thereof the principal function of which is the conduct of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities, provided that the determination be made prior to a personnel action; or".

2012—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(xi), (xii). Pub. L. 112–199, §104(a), added cl. (xi) and redesignated former cl. (xi) as (xii).

Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i). Pub. L. 112–199, §101(b)(1)(B), inserted "or section 2302(b)(9)(A)(i), (B), (C), or (D)" after "(b)(8)".

Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 112–199, §105, added cl. (ii) and struck out former cl. (ii) which read as follows: "the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and, as determined by the President, any Executive agency or unit thereof the principal function of which is the conduct of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities; or".

Subsec. (a)(2)(D). Pub. L. 112–199, §102, added subpar. (D).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–199, §103, amended concluding provisions generally. Prior to amendment, concluding provisions read as follows: "This subsection shall not be construed to authorize the withholding of information from the Congress or the taking of any personnel action against an employee who discloses information to the Congress."

Subsec. (b)(8)(A)(i). Pub. L. 112–199, §101(a)(1), substituted "any violation" for "a violation".

Subsec. (b)(8)(B)(i). Pub. L. 112–199, §101(a)(2), substituted "any violation (other than a violation of this section)" for "a violation".

Subsec. (b)(9)(A). Pub. L. 112–199, §101(b)(2)(B)(i), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) read as follows: "the exercise of any appeal, complaint, or grievance right granted by any law, rule, or regulation;".

Subsec. (b)(9)(B). Pub. L. 112–199, §101(b)(2)(B)(ii), inserted "(i) or (ii)" after "subparagraph (A)".

Subsec. (b)(13). Pub. L. 112–199, §104(b)(1), added par. (13).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–199, §112, inserted ", including how to make a lawful disclosure of information that is specifically required by law or Executive order to be kept classified in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs to the Special Counsel, the Inspector General of an agency, Congress, or other agency employee designated to receive such disclosures" after "chapter 12 of this title".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–199, §101(b)(2)(C), added subsec. (f).

2008—Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted "National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency" for "National Imagery and Mapping Agency".

2004—Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 108–271 substituted "Government Accountability Office" for "General Accounting Office".

1998—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–339, §6(c)(2), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "For purposes of this title, 'prohibited personnel practice' means the following:

"(A) Any action described in subsection (b) of this section.

"(B) Any action or failure to act that is designated as a prohibited personnel action under section 1599c(a) of title 10."

Subsec. (b)(10) to (12). Pub. L. 105–339, §6(a), struck out "or" at end of par. (10), added par. (11), and redesignated former par. (11) as (12).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–339, §6(b), added subsec. (e).

1996—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 104–201, §1615(b), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "For the purpose of this title, 'prohibited personnel practice' means any action described in subsection (b) of this section."

Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 104–201, §1122(a)(1), substituted "National Imagery and Mapping Agency" for "Central Imagery Office".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 104–197 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "solicit or consider any recommendation or statement, oral or written, with respect to any individual who requests or is under consideration for any personnel action except as provided under section 3303(f);".

1994—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 103–424, §5(a)(3), in concluding provisions, inserted before semicolon ", and in the case of an alleged prohibited personnel practice described in subsection (b)(8), an employee or applicant for employment in a Government corporation as defined in section 9101 of title 31".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(x), (xi). Pub. L. 103–424, §5(a)(1), (2), added cls. (x) and (xi) and struck out former cl. (x) which read as follows: "any other significant change in duties or responsibilities which is inconsistent with the employee's salary or grade level;".

Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 103–424, §5(b), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: " 'covered position' means any position in the competitive service, a career appointee position in the Senior Executive Service, or a position in the excepted service, but does not include—

"(i) a position which is excepted from the competitive service because of its confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character; or

"(ii) any position excluded from the coverage of this section by the President based on a determination by the President that it is necessary and warranted by conditions of good administration."

Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i). Pub. L. 103–424, §5(c), inserted before semicolon ", except in the case of an alleged prohibited personnel practice described under subsection (b)(8)".

Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 103–359 inserted "the Central Imagery Office," after "Defense Intelligence Agency,".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–424, §5(d), inserted before period at end of first sentence ", and for ensuring (in consultation with the Office of Special Counsel) that agency employees are informed of the rights and remedies available to them under this chapter and chapter 12 of this title".

1993—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 103–94 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "solicit or consider any recommendation or statement, oral or written, with respect to any individual who requests or is under consideration for any personnel action unless such recommendation or statement is based on the personal knowledge or records of the person furnishing it and consists of—

"(A) an evaluation of the work performance, ability, aptitude, or general qualifications of such individual; or

"(B) an evaluation of the character, loyalty, or suitability of such individual;".

1992—Subsec. (b)(8)(B). Pub. L. 102–378 substituted "Special Counsel" for "Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board".

1990—Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 101–474 struck out ", the Administrative Office of the United States Courts," after "means an Executive agency".

1989—Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 101–12, §4(a), in introductory provision inserted ", or threaten to take or fail to take," after "fail to" and substituted "because of" for "as a reprisal for", in subpar. (A) substituted "any disclosure" for "a disclosure", in subpar. (A)(ii) inserted "gross" before "mismanagement", in subpar. (B) substituted "any disclosure" for "a disclosure", and in subpar. (B)(ii) inserted "gross" before "mismanagement".

Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 101–12, §4(b), amended par. (9) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (9) read as follows: "take or fail to take any personnel action against any employee or applicant for employment as a reprisal for the exercise of any appeal right granted by any law, rule, or regulation;".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

"Government Publishing Office" substituted for "Government Printing Office" in subsec. (a)(2)(C) on authority of section 1301(b) of Pub. L. 113–235, set out as a note preceding section 301 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–199 effective 30 days after Nov. 27, 2012, see section 202 of Pub. L. 112–199, set out as a note under section 1204 of this title.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by section 1122(a)(1) of Pub. L. 104–201 effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1124 of Pub. L. 104–201, set out as a note under section 193 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Pub. L. 104–197, title III, §315(c), Sept. 16, 1996, 110 Stat. 2416, provided that: "This section [amending this section and section 3303 of this title] shall take effect 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 16, 1996]."

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment; Savings Provision

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–94 effective 120 days after Oct. 6, 1993, but not to release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under amended provision, which is to be treated as remaining in force for purpose of sustaining any proper proceeding or action for enforcement of that penalty, forfeiture, or liability, and no provision of Pub. L. 103–94 to affect any proceedings with respect to which charges were filed on or before 120 days after Oct. 6, 1993, with orders to be issued in such proceedings and appeals taken therefrom as if Pub. L. 103–94 had not been enacted, see section 12 of Pub. L. 103–94, set out as an Effective Date; Savings Provision note under section 7321 of this title.

Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–12 effective 90 days following Apr. 10, 1989, see section 11 of Pub. L. 101–12, set out as a note under section 1201 of this title.

Savings Provision

Pub. L. 112–199, title II, §201, Nov. 27, 2012, 126 Stat. 1475, provided that: "Nothing in this Act [see section 1 of Pub. L. 112–199, set out as a Short Title of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title] shall be construed to imply any limitation on any protections afforded by any other provision of law to employees and applicants."

Pub. L. 105–339, §6(d), Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3188, provided that: "This section [amending this section and repealing section 1599c of Title 10, Armed Forces] shall be treated as if it had never been enacted for purposes of any personnel action (within the meaning of section 2302 of title 5, United States Code) preceding the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 31, 1998]."

Agency Websites

Pub. L. 112–199, title I, §104(b)(2), Nov. 27, 2012, 126 Stat. 1467, provided that: "Agencies making use of any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement shall also post the statement required under section 2302(b)(13) of title 5, United States Code (as added by this Act) on the agency website, accompanied by the specific list of controlling Executive orders and statutory provisions."

Nondisclosure Policy, Form, or Agreement in Effect Before the Effective Date

Pub. L. 112–199, title I, §104(b)(3), Nov. 27, 2012, 126 Stat. 1467, provided that: "With respect to a nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement that was in effect before the effective date of this Act [see Effective Date of 2012 Amendment note above], but that does not contain the statement required under section 2302(b)(13) of title 5, United States Code (as added by this Act) for implementation or enforcement—

"(A) it shall not be a prohibited personnel practice to enforce that policy, form, or agreement with regard to a current employee if the agency gives such employee notice of the statement; and

"(B) it shall not be a prohibited personnel practice to enforce that policy, form, or agreement after the effective date of this Act with regard to a former employee if the agency complies with paragraph (2) of this subsection [set out as a note above]."

Disclosure of Censorship Related to Research, Analysis, or Technical Information

Pub. L. 112–199, title I, §110, Nov. 27, 2012, 126 Stat. 1471, as amended by Pub. L. 115–73, title I, §107(a)(2)(C), Oct. 26, 2017, 131 Stat. 1239; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1097(b)(3)(C), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1618, provided that:

"(a) Definitions.—In this subsection—

"(1) the term 'agency' has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(C) of title 5, United States Code;

"(2) the term 'applicant' means an applicant for a covered position;

"(3) the term 'censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information' means any effort to distort, misrepresent, or suppress research, analysis, or technical information;

"(4) the term 'covered position' has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(B) of title 5, United States Code;

"(5) the term 'employee' means an employee in a covered position in an agency; and

"(6) the term 'disclosure' has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(D) of title 5, United States Code.

"(b) Protected Disclosure.—

"(1) In general.—Any disclosure of information by an employee or applicant for employment that the employee or applicant reasonably believes is evidence of censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information—

"(A) shall come within the protections of section 2302(b)(8)(A) of title 5, United States Code, if—

"(i) the employee or applicant reasonably believes that the censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information is or will cause—

     "(I) any violation of law, rule, or regulation; or

     "(II) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; and

"(ii) such disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law or such information is not specifically required by Executive order to be kept classified in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs; and

"(B) shall come within the protections of section 2302(b)(8)(B) of title 5, United States Code, if—

"(i) the employee or applicant reasonably believes that the censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information is or will cause—

     "(I) any violation of law, rule, or regulation; or

     "(II) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; and

"(ii) the disclosure is made to the Special Counsel, or to the Inspector General of an agency or another person designated by the head of the agency to receive such disclosures, consistent with the protection of sources and methods.

"(2) Disclosures not excluded.—A disclosure shall not be excluded from paragraph (1) for any reason described under section 2302(f)(1) or (2) of title 5, United States Code.

"(3) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to imply any limitation on the protections of employees and applicants afforded by any other provision of law, including protections with respect to any disclosure of information believed to be evidence of censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information."

Nondisclosure Policies, Forms, and Agreements

Pub. L. 112–199, title I, §115, Nov. 27, 2012, 126 Stat. 1472, provided that:

"(a) In General.—

"(1) Requirement.—Each agreement in Standard Forms 312 and 4414 of the Government and any other nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement of the Government shall contain the following statement: 'These provisions are consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee obligations, rights, or liabilities created by existing statute or Executive order relating to (1) classified information, (2) communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other whistleblower protection. The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights, sanctions, and liabilities created by controlling Executive orders and statutory provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are controlling.'.

"(2) Agency websites.—Agencies making use of any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement shall also post the statement required under paragraph (1) on the agency website, accompanied by the specific list of controlling Executive orders and statutory provisions.

"(3) Enforceability.—

"(A) In general.—Any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement described under paragraph (1) that does not contain the statement required under paragraph (1) may not be implemented or enforced to the extent such policy, form, or agreement is inconsistent with that statement.

"(B) Nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement in effect before the effective date.—With respect to a nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement that was in effect before the effective date of this Act [see Effective Date of 2012 Amendment note above], but that does not contain the statement required under paragraph (1) for implementation or enforcement—

"(i) it shall not be a prohibited personnel practice to enforce that policy, form, or agreement with regard to a current employee if the agency gives such employee notice of the statement; and

"(ii) it shall not be a prohibited personnel practice to enforce that policy, form, or agreement after the effective date of this Act with regard to a former employee if the agency complies with paragraph (2).

"(b) Persons Other Than Government Employees.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), a nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement that is to be executed by a person connected with the conduct of an intelligence or intelligence-related activity, other than an employee or officer of the United States Government, may contain provisions appropriate to the particular activity for which such document is to be used. Such policy, form, or agreement shall, at a minimum, require that the person will not disclose any classified information received in the course of such activity unless specifically authorized to do so by the United States Government. Such nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement shall also make it clear that such forms do not bar disclosures to Congress or to an authorized official of an executive agency or the Department of Justice that are essential to reporting a substantial violation of law, consistent with the protection of sources and methods."

Executive Documents

Federal Benefits and Non-Discrimination

Memorandum of President of the United States, June 17, 2009, 74 F.R. 29393, provided:

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Millions of hard-working, dedicated, and patriotic public servants are employed by the Federal Government as part of the civilian workforce, and many of these devoted Americans have same-sex domestic partners. Leading companies in the private sector are free to provide to same-sex domestic partners the same benefits they provide to married people of the opposite sex. Executive departments and agencies, however, may only provide benefits on that basis if they have legal authorization to do so. My Administration is not authorized by Federal law to extend a number of available Federal benefits to the same-sex partners of Federal employees. Within existing law, however, my Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of State, who oversees our Foreign Service employees, and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, who oversees human resource management for our civil service employees, has identified areas in which statutory authority exists to achieve greater equality for the Federal workforce through extension to same-sex domestic partners of benefits currently available to married people of the opposite sex. Extending available benefits will help the Federal Government compete with the private sector to recruit and retain the best and the brightest employees.

I hereby request the following:

Section 1. Extension of Identified Benefits. The Secretary of State and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall, in consultation with the Department of Justice, extend the benefits they have respectively identified to qualified same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees where doing so can be achieved and is consistent with Federal law.

Sec. 2. Review of Governmentwide Benefits. The heads of all other executive departments and agencies, in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management, shall conduct a review of the benefits provided by their respective departments and agencies to determine what authority they have to extend such benefits to same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees. The results of this review shall be reported within 90 days to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, who, in consultation with the Department of Justice, shall recommend to me any additional measures that can be taken, consistent with existing law, to provide benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal Government employees.

Sec. 3. Promoting Compliance with Existing Law Requiring Federal Workplaces to be Free of Discrimination Based on Non-Merit Factors. The Office of Personnel Management shall issue guidance within 90 days to all executive departments and agencies regarding compliance with, and implementation of, the civil service laws, rules, and regulations, including 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(10), which make it unlawful to discriminate against Federal employees or applicants for Federal employment on the basis of factors not related to job performance.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) Authority granted by law or Executive Order to an agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) Functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Sec. 5. Publication. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

Barack Obama.      

Extension of Benefits to Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Federal Employees

Memorandum of President of the United States, June 2, 2010, 75 F.R. 32247, provided:

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

For far too long, many of our Government's hard-working, dedicated LGBT employees have been denied equal access to the basic rights and benefits their colleagues enjoy. This kind of systemic inequality undermines the health, well-being, and security not just of our Federal workforce, but also of their families and communities. That is why, last June, I directed the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies), in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to conduct a thorough review of the benefits they provide and to identify any that could be extended to LGBT employees and their partners and families. Although legislative action is necessary to provide full equality to LGBT Federal employees, the agencies have identified a number of benefits that can be extended under existing law. OPM, in consultation with the Department of Justice, has provided me with a report recommending that all of the identified benefits be extended.

Accordingly, I hereby direct the following:

Section 1. Immediate Actions To Extend Benefits. Agencies should immediately take the following actions, consistent with existing law, in order to extend benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees, and, where applicable, to the children of same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees:

(a) The Director of OPM should take appropriate action to:

(i) clarify that the children of employees' same-sex domestic partners fall within the definition of "child" for purposes of Federal child-care subsidies, and, where appropriate, for child-care services;

(ii) clarify that, for purposes of employee assistance programs, same-sex domestic partners and their children qualify as "family members";

(iii) issue a proposed rule that would clarify that employees' same-sex domestic partners qualify as "family members" for purposes of noncompetitive appointments made pursuant to Executive Order 12721 of July 30, 1990;

(iv) issue a proposed rule that would add a Federal retiree's same-sex domestic partner to the list of individuals presumed to have an insurable interest in the employee pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 8339(k)(1), 8420;

(v) clarify that under appropriate circumstances, employees' same-sex domestic partners and their children qualify as dependents for purposes of evacuation payments made under 5 U.S.C. 5522–5523; Folio: 1632 [sic]

(vi) amend its guidance on implementing President Clinton's April 11, 1997, memorandum to heads of executive departments and agencies on "Expanded Family and Medical Leave Policies" to specify that the 24 hours of unpaid leave made available to Federal employees in connection with (i) school and early childhood educational activities; (ii) routine family medical purposes; and (iii) elderly relatives' health or care needs, may be used to meet the needs of an employee's same-sex domestic partner or the same-sex domestic partner's children; and

(vii) clarify that employees' same-sex domestic partners qualify as dependents for purposes of calculating the extra allowance payable under 5 U.S.C. 5942a to assist employees stationed on Johnston Island, subject to any limitations applicable to spouses.

(b) The Administrator of General Services should take appropriate action to amend the definitions of "immediate family" and "dependent" appearing in the Federal Travel Regulations, 41 C.F.R. Chs. 300–304, to include same-sex domestic partners and their children, so that employees and their domestic partners and children can obtain the full benefits available under applicable law, including certain travel, relocation, and subsistence payments.

(c) All agencies offering any of the benefits specified by OPM in implementing guidance under section 3 of this memorandum, including credit union membership, access to fitness facilities, and access to planning and counseling services, should take all appropriate action to provide the same level of benefits that is provided to employees' spouses and their children to employees' same-sex domestic partners and their children.

(d) All agencies with authority to provide benefits to employees outside of the context of title 5, United States Code should take all appropriate actions to ensure that the benefits being provided to employees' spouses and their children are also being provided, at an equivalent level wherever permitted by law, to their employees' same-sex domestic partners and their children.

Sec. 2. Continuing Obligation To Provide New Benefits. In the future, all agencies that provide new benefits to the spouses of Federal employees and their children should, to the extent permitted by law, also provide them to the same-sex domestic partners of their employees and those same-sex domestic partners' children. This section applies to appropriated and nonappropriated fund instrumentalities of such agencies.

Sec. 3. Monitoring and Guidance. The Director of OPM shall monitor compliance with this memorandum, and may instruct agencies to provide the Director with reports on the status of their compliance, and prescribe the form Folio: 1633 [sic] and manner of such reports. The Director of OPM shall also issue guidance to ensure consistent and appropriate implementation.

Sec. 4. Reporting. By April 1, 2011, and annually thereafter, the Director of OPM shall provide the President with a report on the progress of the agencies in implementing this memorandum until such time as all recommendations have been appropriately implemented.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Except as expressly stated herein, nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law or Executive Order to an agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Sec. 6. Publication. The Director of OPM is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

Barack Obama.      

1 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

1 See References in Text note below.
5 U.S.C. § 3330d (2024) — Title 5: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES / Chapter 33 / Subchapter I / Section 3330d: Appointment of military and Department of Defense, Department of State, and intelligence community spouses
Appointment of military and Department of Defense, Department of State, and intelligence community spouses
Status: in_force

(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "active duty"—

(A) has the meaning given that term in section 101(d)(1) of title 10;

(B) includes full-time National Guard duty (as defined in section 101(d)(5) of title 10); and

(C) for a member of a reserve component (as described in section 10101 of title 10), does not include training duties or attendance at a service school.

(2) The term "agency"—

(A) has the meaning given the term "Executive agency" in section 105 of this title; and

(B) does not include the Government Accountability Office.

(3) The term "covered spouse" means an individual who is married to an individual who—

(A)(i) is an employee of the Department of State or an element of the intelligence community; or

(ii) is a member of the Armed Forces who is assigned to an element of the intelligence community; and

(B) is transferred in the interest of the Government from one official station within the applicable agency to another within the agency (that is outside of normal commuting distance) for permanent duty.

(4) The term "intelligence community" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).

(5) The term "remote work" refers to a work flexibility arrangement under which an employee—

(A) is not expected to physically report to the location from which the employee would otherwise work, considering the position of the employee; and

(B) performs the duties and responsibilities of such employee's position, and other authorized activities, from an approved worksite—

(i) other than the location from which the employee would otherwise work;

(ii) that may be inside or outside the local commuting area of the location from which the employee would otherwise work; and

(iii) that is typically the residence of the employee.

(6) The term "spouse of a disabled or deceased member of the Armed Forces" means an individual—

(A) who is married to a member of the Armed Forces who—

(i) is retired, released, or discharged from the Armed Forces; and

(ii) on the date on which the member retires, is released, or is discharged, has a disability rating of 100 percent under the standard schedule of rating disabilities in use by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or

(B) who—

(i) was married to a member of the Armed Forces on the date on which the member dies while on active duty in the Armed Forces; and

(ii) has not remarried.

(7) The term "spouse of an employee of the Department of Defense" means an individual who is married to an employee of the Department of Defense who is transferred in the interest of the Government from one official station within the Department to another within the Department (that is outside of normal commuting distance) for permanent duty.

(8) The term "telework" has the meaning given the term in section 6501.

(b) Appointment Authority.—The head of an agency may appoint noncompetitively—

(1) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty;

(2) a spouse of a disabled or deceased member of the Armed Forces;

(3) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or a spouse of a disabled or deceased member of the Armed Forces, to a position in which the spouse will engage in remote work;

(4) a spouse of an employee of the Department of Defense, including to a position in which the spouse will engage in remote work; or

(5) a covered spouse to a position in which the covered spouse will engage in remote work.

(c) Special Rules Regarding Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Member of the Armed Forces.—

(1) In general.—An appointment of an eligible spouse as described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(4) is not restricted to a geographical area.

(2) Single permanent appointment.—A spouse of a disabled or deceased member of the Armed Forces may not receive more than 1 permanent appointment under this section.

(Added Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title V, §566(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1749; amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XI, §1131, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2457; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §573(a), (c), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1779; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XI, §§1112(a), 1119(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 429, 434; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title XI, §1102(c)(1), div. F, title LXVI, §6612(a), (e)(1), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2086, 2504, 2505.)

Amendment of Section

For revival of section by Pub. L. 118–159, see Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below.

For expiration of amendments and revival of section by Pub. L. 118–31, see Termination Date of 2023 Amendment note below.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(1), (e)(1), temporarily substituted "military and Department of Defense, Department of State, and intelligence community spouses" for "Appointment of military and Department of Defense civilian spouses" in section catchline. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1), amended Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(2), (3). See 2023 Amendment notes below.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(2)(D), (e)(1), temporarily added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3) which defined "remote work". See Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(2)(D), (e)(1), temporarily added par. (4). See Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below. Former par. (4) temporarily redesignated (6).

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(2)(D), (e)(1), temporarily added par. (5). See Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below. Former par. (5) temporarily redesignated (7) as probable intent.

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(2)(C), (e)(1), temporarily redesignated par. (4) as (6). See Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below. Former par. (6) temporarily struck out as probable intent.

Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(2)(B), (e)(1), which directed the temporary striking out of par. (5), was executed by temporarily striking out par. (6) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1)(A)(i), which retroactively amended Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(2)(A), so as to redesignate par. (5) as (6). See 2023 Amendment note below and Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(2)(A), (e)(1), which directed the temporary redesignation of the second par. (4) relating to a spouse of an employee of the Department of Defense as (7), was executed by temporarily redesignating par. (5) as (7) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1)(A)(ii), which retroactively amended Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(2)(B), so as to add such paragraph as par. (5) instead of a second par. (4). See 2023 Amendment note below and Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(2)(E), (e)(1), temporarily added par. (8). See Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(3)(A), (e)(1), which directed the temporary striking out of "or" at end, could not be executed after the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1)(B)(ii), which retroactively amended Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(3)(A), so as to direct the same amendment. See 2023 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(3)(B), (e)(1), which directed the temporary substitution of a semicolon for the period at the end of the first par. (3) relating to a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, was executed by temporarily substituting a semicolon for "; or" at the end of the only par. (3), to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening amendments by Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1)(B)(iii), (iv), which retroactively amended Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(3)(B), (C), so as to substitute "; or" for the period at the end of par. (3) and add par. (4) instead of a second par. (3). See 2023 Amendment note below and Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(3)(D), (e)(1), temporarily inserted ", including to a position in which the spouse will engage in remote work" after "Department of Defense" and substituted "; or" for period at end. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(3)(C), (e)(1), which directed the temporary redesignation of the second par. (3) relating to a spouse of an employee of the Department of Defense as (4), could not be executed after the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1)(B)(iv), which retroactively amended Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(3)(C), so as to add such paragraph as par. (4) instead of par. (3). See 2023 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 118–159, §6612(a)(3)(E), (e)(1), temporarily added par. (5). See Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment note below.

2023—Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(1), (d), temporarily amended section catchline, inserting "and Department of Defense civilian" after "military". See Termination Date of 2023 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Pub. L. 118–31, §1112(a)(1)(A), (B), added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(2)(B), (d), as amended by Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1)(A)(ii), temporarily added par. (5). See Termination Date of 2023 Amendment note below. Former par. (5) temporarily redesignated (6).

Pub. L. 118–31, §1112(a)(1)(C), added par. (5).

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(2)(A), (d), as amended by Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1)(A)(i), temporarily redesignated par. (5) as (6). See Termination Date of 2023 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(3)(A), (d), as amended by Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1)(B)(ii), temporarily struck out "or" at end. See Termination Date of 2023 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(3)(B), (d), as amended by Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1)(B)(iii), temporarily substituted "; or" for period at end. See Termination Date of 2023 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 118–31, §1112(a)(2), added par. (3).

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 118–31, §1119(a)(3)(C), (d), as amended by Pub. L. 118–159, §1102(c)(1)(B)(iv), temporarily added par. (4). See Termination Date of 2023 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, §1112(a)(3), substituted "subsection (a)(4)" for "subsection (a)(3)".

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, §573(c), amended section catchline generally, substituting "Appointment of military spouses" for "Appointment of certain military spouses".

Subsec. (a)(3) to (6). Pub. L. 115–232, §573(a)(1), redesignated par. (6) as (3) and struck out former pars. (3) to (5) which defined geographic area of the permanent duty station, permanent change of station, and relocating spouse of a member of the Armed Forces, respectively.

Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 115–232, §573(a)(2)–(4), added subsec. (b), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and substituted "subsection (a)(3)" for "subsection (a)(6)" in par. (1), and struck out former subsecs. (b) and (c) relating to appointment authority and special rules regarding relocating spouse, respectively.

2016—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 114–328 added par. (3).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective and Termination Dates of 2024 Amendment

Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title XI, §1102(c)(2), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2087, provided that: "The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending section 1119(a)(2), (3) of Pub. L. 118–31, which had amended this section] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of section 1119 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31)."

Pub. L. 118–159, div. F, title LXVI, §6612(e), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2505, provided that: "On the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2024]—

"(1) section 3330d of title 5, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a), is amended to read as it read on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act; and

"(2) the item for such section in the table of sections for subchapter I of chapter 33 [probably should be "for chapter 33"] of title 5, United States Code [5 U.S.C. 3301 prec.], as amended by subsection (b), is amended to read as it read on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act."

Termination Date of 2023 Amendment

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XI, §1119(d), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 435, as amended by Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title XI, §1102(b)(1), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2086, provided that: "Effective on December 31, 2033—

"(1) the authority provided by this section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note below], and the amendments made by this section [amending this section], shall expire; and

"(2) the provisions of section 3330d of title 5, United States Code, amended or repealed by this section are restored or revived as if this section had not been enacted."

Termination Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §573(e), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1779, as amended by Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XI, §1111(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2820, which provided that, effective on Dec. 31, 2028, the authority provided by and the amendments made by section 573 of Pub. L. 115–232 would expire, and the provisions of this section amended or repealed by section 573 of Pub. L. 115–232 would be restored or revived as if such section had not been enacted, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title XI, §1102(a), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2086.

Regulations

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title V, §566(b), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1751, provided that: "Not later than 180 after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 2013], the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall amend section 315.612 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to noncompetitive appointment of certain military spouses), in accordance with the amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] and promulgate or amend any other regulations necessary to carry out the amendment made by subsection (a)."

Rule of Construction

Pub. L. 118–159, div. F, title LXVI, §6612(d), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2505, provided that: "Nothing in this section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note above] or an amendment made by this section shall be construed to revoke or diminish any right of an individual provided by title 5, United States Code."

OPM Limitation and Reports

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XI, §1119(c), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 434, provided that:

"(1) Relocating spouses.—With respect to the noncompetitive appointment of a relocating spouse of an employee of the Department of Defense under paragraph (3) of section 3330d(b) of title 5, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall—

"(A) monitor the number of those appointments;

"(B) require the head of each agency with the authority to make those appointments under that provision to submit to the Director an annual report on those appointments, including information on the number of individuals so appointed, the types of positions filled, and the effectiveness of the authority for those appointments; and

"(C) not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], submit, to the Committees on Armed Services and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committees on Armed Services and Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives, a report on the use and effectiveness of the authority described in subparagraph (B).

"(2) Non-relocating spouses.—With respect to the noncompetitive appointment of a spouse of an employee of the Department of Defense other than a relocating spouse described in paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of Personnel Management—

"(A) shall treat the spouse as a relocating spouse under paragraph (1); and

"(B) may limit the number of those appointments."

[For termination of section 1119(c) of Pub. L. 118–31, set out above, see Termination Date of 2023 Amendment note set out above.]

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §573(d), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1779, which related to limitations on the noncompetitive appointment of relocating spouses and required reports, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XI, §1111(b), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2820.

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 13832. Enhancing Noncompetitive Civil Service Appointments of Military Spouses

Ex. Ord. No. 13832, May 9, 2018, 83 F.R. 22343, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 1784 of title 10, United States Code, and sections 3301 and 3302 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Definitions. (a) "Military spouse" means:

(i) the husband or wife of a member of the Armed Forces who, as determined by the Secretary of Defense, is performing active duty pursuant to orders that authorize a permanent change of station move, if such husband or wife relocates to the member's new permanent duty station;

(ii) the husband or wife of a totally disabled retired or separated member of the Armed Forces; or

(iii) the unremarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while performing active duty.

(b) "Member of the Armed Forces" has the meaning set forth in 5 CFR 315.612(b)(4).

(c) "Agency" has the meaning set forth in section 3330d of title 5, United States Code.

(d) "Military spouse hiring authority" shall refer to the appointment authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 3330d and 5 CFR 315.612.

Sec. 2. Policy. (a) Military spouses make critical contributions to the personal and financial success of our military families. Military service of spouses, however, often impairs the spouse's ability to obtain and maintain employment, and to achieve career goals. Multiple and frequent relocations make it challenging for military spouses to maintain the home front, to comply with licensure and other job requirements, and to obtain adequate childcare.

(b) It shall be the policy of the United States to enhance employment support for military spouses. This policy will assist agencies in tapping into a pool of talented individuals and will promote the national interest of the United States and the well-being of our military families. It will also help retain members of the Armed Forces, enhance military readiness, recognize the tremendous sacrifices and service of the members of our Armed Forces and their families, and decrease the burden of regulations that can inhibit the entry of military spouses into the workforce.

Sec. 3. Promoting Hiring for Military Spouses. (a) To the greatest extent possible consistent with hiring needs, agencies shall, when filling vacant positions in the competitive service, indicate in job opportunity announcements (JOAs) that they will consider candidates under the military spouse hiring authority in addition to candidates identified on the competitive or merit promotion certificate for the position as well as those candidates identified through any other hiring authority a JOA indicates an agency will consider.

(b) Agencies shall actively advertise and promote the military spouse hiring authority and actively solicit applications from military spouses for posted and other agency positions (including through USAJOBS).

(c) The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) shall consider whether changes to 5 CFR 315.612 are appropriate to account for cases in which there are no agency job openings within the geographic area of the permanent duty station of the member of the Armed Forces for which the member's spouse is qualified.

(d) OPM shall also periodically circulate notifications concerning the military spouse hiring authority and its eligibility requirements to each agency's Chief Human Capital Officer or the agency's equivalent officer, for such officer to transmit to appropriate offices and to notify eligible populations. Within 180 days of the date of this order [May 9, 2018], OPM shall post to its website, and circulate to each agency's Chief Human Capital Officer or the agency's equivalent officer, information about the military spouse hiring authority. That posting shall include a discussion of section 1131 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, Public Law 114–328, which amended 5 U.S.C. 3330d(c) to eliminate the time limitation on noncompetitive appointment for a relocating spouse of a member of the Armed Forces.

(e) Within 180 days of the date of this order, OPM shall educate agencies concerning the military spouse hiring authority and ensure human resources personnel and hiring managers are briefed on techniques for its effective use. Concurrently, within 180 days of the date of this order, OPM shall provide any additional clarifying guidance it deems appropriate to agencies on provisions of the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, Public Law 111–292 [enacting chapter 65 and section 5711 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 6501 of this title and amending provisions set out as a note and provisions listed in a table under section 6120 of this title], and agencies shall ensure that human resources personnel and hiring managers are briefed as needed on techniques for the effective use of telework.

(f) Beginning in Fiscal Year 2019, agencies shall report annually (by December 31 of each year) to OPM and the Department of Labor the number of positions made available under the military spouse hiring authority, the number of applications submitted under the military spouse hiring authority, and the number of military spouses appointed under the military spouse hiring authority during the preceding fiscal year. Such report shall also describe actions taken during that period to advertise the military spouse hiring authority, as well as any other actions taken to promote the hiring of military spouses.

Sec. 4. Administrative Provisions. (a) The Director of OPM shall administer this order and shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, provide an annual report to the President regarding the implementation of this order and any recommendations for improving the hiring of military spouses, including steps to enhance the effectiveness of the military spouse hiring authority.

(b) The annual report described in subsection (a) of this section shall also include recommendations, developed in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, for actions that could be taken to improve license portability and remove barriers to the employment of military spouses.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Donald J. Trump.      

Ex. Ord. No. 14100. Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors

Ex. Ord. No. 14100, June 9, 2023, 88 F.R. 39111, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Military-connected families are American working families. Military and veteran families, military caregivers, and survivors face many of the same challenges as their neighbors, but they can carry the additional strains of multiple deployments; frequent moves with little control over their geographic location; caring for wounded, ill, and injured service members or veterans; time apart for training and other demands of military life; and more. The unique demands of military life continue to affect veteran families, military caregivers, and survivors for years after a service member's time in uniform.

Military families, like their civilian counterparts, increasingly look to rely upon dual incomes; however, the 21 percent unemployment rate experienced by active-duty military spouses in the workforce makes that a difficult goal to achieve and maintain. Nearly one in five military families cite challenges with spousal employment as a reason when considering leaving active-duty service. The challenges associated with the military lifestyle, including permanent change-of-station moves every 2 to 3 years on average for active-duty families, mean that military spouses often struggle to find options for work that are portable or allow them to build a sustainable long-term career. Employment challenges are not limited to active-duty spouses, as Reserve and National Guard spouses must balance their careers against the unpredictable nature of the service member's schedule, activations, and deployments. Employment challenges can continue to affect the employability and career trajectory of veteran spouses well after a service member leaves the service.

Recognizing the importance of military family economic well-being to the all-volunteer force, the Federal Government employs more than 16,000 military, veteran, and surviving spouses. As the Nation's largest employer, we must be a model for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and, in doing so, we recognize that military spouses are an underserved community. Whether they choose public service, employment in the private sector, or entrepreneurship through building a small business, it is the policy of my Administration to advance economic opportunity for military spouses. My Administration also recognizes the imperative of promoting economic security for military spouses—the vast majority of whom are women—under the National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality.

In addition, my Administration understands that access to high-quality, affordable child care is a necessity for working families, and a military readiness issue. While the Department of Defense offers the largest employer-sponsored child care network in the country, military families still face challenges related to capacity and non-traditional work schedules. Many military families seeking care outside of the gates of our military bases struggle to find care they can afford. Because access to child care should not be an impediment to service, I have directed the Secretary of Defense to ensure the Fourteenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, undertaken in January 2023, includes an assessment of child care access and cost in its review of military benefits and pay, along with consideration of factors such as the challenge of military spouse unemployment, frequent military moves, and periods of geographic separation between service members and their spouses, including dual military couples.

Military spouses can also be service members themselves, wearing the Nation's uniform in our Active Components, National Guard, or Reserve forces, with a higher percentage of women service members in a dual military marriage than their male counterparts. As we recognize the 75th anniversary of women's integration into the Armed Forces, my Administration is committed to removing barriers to women's ability to serve, including difficulty in accessing child care, which poses a challenge for both spouses, but disproportionately affects retention for women, especially women in dual military couples, and can play a factor in women's early separation from the Armed Forces.

As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the all-volunteer force, we must appreciate now more than ever that the commitment and resilience of military-connected families are essential to the recruitment, retention, and readiness of our Armed Forces and the enduring strength of our Nation. Meeting the economic, social, and emotional needs of our military and veteran families, military caregivers, and survivors is a national security imperative. In times of peace and of war, military and veteran families, military caregivers, and survivors have sacrificed much for our country, answering the call to duty time and again. We owe them nothing less than the dignity of a meaningful career and the opportunity to build economic security for their families.

Sec. 2. Government-wide Military and Veteran Spouse, Military Caregiver, and Survivor Hiring and Retention Strategic Plan and Training. Given the considerable Federal footprint around many military installations, military spouses are often interested in pursuing careers in the Federal civil service. To ensure that the Federal Government is an employer of choice for military and veteran spouses, military caregivers, and survivors, executive departments and agencies (agencies) must strengthen their ability to recruit, hire, develop, promote, and retain this skilled and diverse pool of talent. To that end:

(a) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall develop and issue a Government-wide Military and Veteran Spouse, Military Caregiver, and Survivor Hiring and Retention Strategic Plan (Military-Connected Plan) within 180 days of the date of this order [June 9, 2023] that builds upon the Government-wide plans required by Executive Order 13583 of August 18, 2011 (Establishing a Coordinated Government-Wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce) [42 U.S.C. 2000e note], and Executive Order 14035 of June 25, 2021 (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce) [42 U.S.C. 2000e note]. The Military-Connected Plan shall be updated as appropriate and at a minimum every 4 years. The Military-Connected Plan shall:

(i) define measures of success for the recruitment, hiring, and retention of military and veteran spouses, military caregivers, and survivors based on leading policies and practices in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors;

(ii) include plans for OPM to consult with the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security in developing enhanced support for the retention of military spouses in Federal careers, consistent with merit system principles as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2301;

(iii) consistent with merit system principles, identify strategies—including pursuing development of a legislative proposal, as appropriate—to eliminate, where applicable, barriers to the employment of military and veteran spouses, military caregivers, and survivors in the Federal workforce, including with respect to recruitment; hiring, including an assessment of whether to pursue expanded eligibility for derivative preference; promotion; retention; performance evaluations and awards; professional development programs; mentoring programs or sponsorship initiatives; internship, fellowship, and registered apprenticeship programs; employee resource group and affinity group programs; and training, learning, and onboarding programs;

(iv) identify strategies for marketing the talent, experience, and diversity of military and veteran spouses, military caregivers, and survivors to agencies; and

(v) develop a data-driven approach to increasing transparency and accountability in hiring and retention—including by encouraging agencies to set goals for hiring under the Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointment Authority established by 5 U.S.C. 3330d and hiring individuals eligible for derivative preference, to use data internally to improve performance, and to use data to publicly report on progress—which would build upon, as appropriate, the reporting requirements of Executive Order 13832 of May 9, 2018 (Enhancing Noncompetitive Civil Service Appointments of Military Spouses) [set out above].

(b) Beginning with Fiscal Year 2025, the Director of OPM shall revise the title of the "Employment of Veterans in the Federal Executive Branch" annual report to "Employment of Veterans and Military-Connected Spouses and Survivors in the Federal Executive Branch," and shall include in the report the existing data previously reported in the "Employment of Veterans in the Federal Executive Branch" report, including statistics on the hiring of military and veteran spouses and survivors in a manner that allows for comparison and analysis of the distinct populations and hiring mechanisms.

(c) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of OPM shall collaborate on opportunities to better share Federal employee survey data to enable analysis and reporting relevant to the employment of military and veteran spouses and survivors.

(d) In collaboration with the Director of OPM and consistent with 5 U.S.C. 4103, agencies shall provide annual training for agency human resources personnel and hiring managers concerning the employment of military and veteran spouses, military caregivers, and survivors, including training on special authorities for the hiring of military spouses and survivors, and the provision of tools to build the agencies' capacity to make use of applicable hiring authorities, including distribution of the Joining Forces military spouse hiring toolkit, which OPM shall publish on the FedsHireVets website.

(e) The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Equitable Data, as designated by Executive Order 14091 of February 16, 2023 (Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government) [5 U.S.C. 601 note], shall develop recommendations on ways in which agencies can expand Federal datasets to track outcomes for military and veteran spouses, military caregivers, and survivors. Such recommendations shall be included in the Director of OSTP's reports to the White House Steering Committee on Equity under section 9 of Executive Order 14091.

(f) The Secretaries of Defense, Labor, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security shall work together through existing interagency collaborations, including the Transition Assistance Program, to increase training and employment opportunities for military spouses in the workforce through the transition to veteran spouse status.

Sec. 3. Updates to Federal Training and Hiring Authorities. To strengthen the ability of the Federal Government to train, develop, and hire military and veteran spouses and survivors:

(a) Beginning with Fiscal Year 2025, agencies shall list the Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointment Authority established by 5 U.S.C. 3330d when soliciting applications from outside of their workforce for positions announced on USAJOBS or other job posting sites. This requirement applies when using merit promotion procedures to fill competitive service positions.

(b) The Secretary of Labor shall examine the eligibility of military and veteran spouses for programs that provide education, job training, employment services, employer engagement, and other relevant programs, and, as appropriate, shall work to reduce barriers that military and veteran spouses may face in accessing those programs.

(c) The Director of OPM shall examine the eligibility criteria for the Recent Graduates Program established by section 2 of Executive Order 13562 of December 27, 2010 (Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates) [5 U.S.C. 3301 note], and, as appropriate, including by recommending Presidential action as necessary, shall work to reduce barriers that military spouses may face in accessing the Program.

Sec. 4. Retention of Military and Veteran Spouses and Military Caregivers, Including Those Employed by the Federal Government. In order to support military and veteran spouses and military caregivers, including those who are employed by the Federal Government:

(a) The Director of OPM shall issue guidance to agencies:

(i) reinforcing existing telework and remote work flexibility options pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 6502 for Federal employees, including military spouses and military caregivers, and encouraging agency leaders to consider these as options for retaining Federal employee military spouses and military caregivers;

(ii) encouraging agencies to support the policies set forth in section 1 of this order by granting up to 5 days of administrative leave to military spouses during a geographic relocation occurring as directed by a service member's orders; and

(iii) encouraging agencies to collaborate so that a military spouse or military caregiver Federal employee may be placed in another Federal agency position when arrangements to retain a military spouse or military caregiver—including following changes to support continuity of care or relocation due to permanent change-of-station orders for the active-duty service member—are unavailable to allow them to continue in their existing position.

(b) The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, when reevaluating or entering agreements with host nations, shall consider work options for military spouses who are performing remote work for non-Department of Defense entities, so as to reduce barriers for military spouses seeking to continue their private sector- or self-employment.

(c) The Secretary of Defense shall coordinate with the heads of the Military Departments, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate with the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, to amend their respective legal assistance instructions to allow for consultation, advice, and assistance to military families on Status of Forces Agreements and other agreements with host nations affecting family employment, so as to provide support for military spouses navigating complex employment requirements related to working remotely while their active-duty service member spouse is stationed overseas. Those amendments shall specify that legal assistance is limited to the personal civil legal affairs of military dependents affected by employment restrictions related to a Status of Forces Agreement or other host nation agreement, and does not extend to their employers or the establishment, management, or taxation of small business organizations.

Sec. 5. Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas Policy. In order to ensure that military spouses are able to equitably and reasonably access opportunities for remote work in their Federal jobs when their service-member spouse receives orders overseas, promote togetherness for military families, and enable agencies that employ military spouses—resilient and talented civil servants—to retain them, the following improvements shall be made to the Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas (DETO) program implemented by agencies pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81) [see Tables for classification]:

(a) The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to address residential security and safety requirements for military spouses employed by the Federal Government and working overseas through the DETO program. The MOU shall be communicated to sponsoring agencies, and the Secretaries of State and Defense shall develop appropriate guidance to communicate the provisions of the MOU to military spouses who are civilian employees of the Federal Government.

(b) To promote consistency and effective coordination in the implementation of the DETO program across the executive branch, agencies shall:

(i) develop common standards for DETO policies, including identification of points of contact and creation of guidelines to ensure that such policies are communicated and advertised in a manner accessible to military spouse employees;

(ii) establish a DETO application system and develop a method to track DETO applications received and processed, as well as application processing timelines; and

(iii) establish time frames for DETO application processing and approvals, considering the time-sensitive nature of decisions for applications by military spouses due to permanent change-of-station moves and other factors unique to military families.

Sec. 6. Expanding Support for Military and Veteran Spouse Entrepreneurs. Many military spouses start their own businesses because of a need for flexibility or inability to find or maintain other employment. When military spouses must discontinue their businesses, however, they often cite military moves, rather than lack of profitability, as the reason. To support military spouse entrepreneurs in starting and sustaining their businesses, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall:

(a) expand access to resources tailored to military and veteran spouses who are interested in starting or growing a small business, including guidance to help military spouses with relocating a business following a military move; and

(b) evaluate access to capital gaps for military spouse entrepreneurs.

Sec. 7. Child Care for Military Families. The Department of Defense operates the largest employer-sponsored child care program in the United States in order to provide military families with support that is essential to overall mission readiness, retention, and recruitment. To build on the existing support and ensure that military families have access to affordable, high-quality child care allowing both the service member and the spouse to pursue professional opportunities, the Secretary of Defense shall:

(a) in coordination with the Director of OPM, establish flexible spending accounts for the care of military dependents, available to military personnel no later than January 1, 2024; and

(b) expand pathways for military spouses to provide certified, home-based child care on military installations, including by providing them with support in seeking licensure and achieving government-mandated quality benchmarks.

Sec. 8. Definitions. For the purposes of this order:

(a) The term "active duty" has the meaning set forth in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(1), except that the term also includes "active Guard and Reserve duty," as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(6)(a).

(b) The term "agency" means any authority of the United States that is an "agency" under 44 U.S.C. 3502(1), other than those considered to be independent regulatory agencies, as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5).

(c) The term "derivative preference" means those who are "preference eligible," as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108(3), because they are eligible spouses and parents who use a veteran's preference when the veteran is unable to do so.

(d) The term "military caregiver" means the spouse, child, parent, or next of kin of a veteran who is the primary caregiver for a veteran undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy for a serious injury or illness who was a member of the Armed Forces (including a member of the National Guard or Reserves) and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

(e) The term "military spouse" means an individual married to a member of the Armed Forces who is performing active duty.

(f) The term "survivor" means the spouse, child, parent, or next of kin of a service member who died while on active duty, or from a service-connected disability following discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable.

(g) The term "veteran spouse" means an individual married to a retired or separated member of the Armed Forces who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, so long as the marriage occurred prior to or during the service member's active service.

Sec. 9. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

J.R. Biden, Jr.
5 U.S.C. § 10103 (2024) — Title 5: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES / Chapter 101 / Section 10103: Career paths
Career paths
Status: in_force

(a) In General.—The Administrator shall—

(1) ensure that appropriate career paths for personnel of the Agency are identified, including the education, training, experience, and assignments necessary for career progression within the Agency; and

(2) publish information on the career paths described in paragraph (1).

(b) Education, Training, and Experience.—The Administrator shall ensure that all personnel of the Agency are provided the opportunity to acquire the education, training, and experience necessary to qualify for promotion within the Agency, including, as appropriate, the opportunity to participate in the Rotation Program established under section 844 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

(c) Policy.—The Administrator shall establish a policy for assigning Agency personnel to positions that provides for a balance between—

(1) the need for such personnel to serve in career enhancing positions; and

(2) the need to require service in a position for a sufficient period of time to provide the stability necessary—

(A) to carry out the duties of that position; and

(B) for responsibility and accountability for actions taken in that position.

(Added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, §621(a), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1413.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 844 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, referred to in subsec. (b), is classified to section 414 of Title 6, Domestic Security.