Notwithstanding the memorandum titled “Presidential Memorandum Regarding the Hiring Freeze” published on January 23, 2017, or any other substantially similar memorandum, Executive order, or other action by the President to prevent a department or agency of the Federal Government from filling vacant Federal civilian employee positions or creating new such positions, a department or agency may appoint an individual to a position covered by such memorandum if the position will be filled by an individual who is a preference eligible, as that term is defined in section 2108(3) of title 5, United States Code.