---
kind: "section"
citation: "2 U.S.C. § 1316a"
title: "2"
title_heading: "The Congress"
number: "1316a"
heading: "Legislative branch appointments"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/2/1316a"
units:
  - "Chapter 24 — Congressional Accountability"
  - "Subchapter II — Extension of Rights and Protections"
  - "Part A — Employment Discrimination, Family and Medical Leave, Fair Labor Standards, Employee Polygraph Protection, Worker Adjustment and Retraining, Employment and Reemployment of Veterans, and Intimidation"
---

# §1316a. Legislative branch appointments

- (1) **Definitions—** For the purposes of this section, the terms “[covered employee](/usc/2/1301.md?p=a-3)” and “[Board](/usc/2/1301.md?p=a-1)” shall each have the meaning given such term by section 101 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ([2 U.S.C. 1301](/usc/2/1301.md)).
- (2) **Rights and protections—** The rights and protections established under [section 2108](/usc/2/2108.md), sections 3309 through 3312, and subchapter I of [chapter 35](/usc/5/chptIII/sptB/ch35.md), of title 5, shall apply to [covered employees](/usc/2/1301.md?p=a-3).
- (3) **Remedies—**
  - (A) **In general—** The remedy for a violation of [paragraph (2)](#2) shall be such remedy as would be appropriate if awarded under applicable provisions of [title 5](/usc/5.md) in the case of a violation of the relevant corresponding provision (referred to in [paragraph (2)](#2)) of such title.
  - (B) **Procedure—** The procedure for consideration of alleged violations of [paragraph (2)](#2) shall be the same as apply under section 401 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 [[2 U.S.C. 1401](/usc/2/1401.md)] (and the provisions of law referred to therein) in the case of an alleged violation of part A of title II of such Act [[2 U.S.C. 1311](/usc/2/1311.md) et seq.].
- (4) **Regulations to implement section—**
  - (A) **In general—** The [Board](/usc/2/1301.md?p=a-1) shall, pursuant to section 304 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ([2 U.S.C. 1384](/usc/2/1384.md)), issue regulations to implement this section.
  - (B) **Agency regulations—** The regulations issued under [subparagraph (A)](#4-A) shall be the same as the most relevant substantive regulations (applicable with respect to the executive branch) promulgated to implement the statutory provisions referred to in [paragraph (2)](#2) except insofar as the [Board](/usc/2/1301.md?p=a-1) may determine, for good cause shown and stated together with the regulation, that a modification of such regulations would be more effective for the implementation of the rights and protections under this section.
  - (C) **Coordination—** The regulations issued under [subparagraph (A)](#4-A) shall be consistent with section 225 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ([2 U.S.C. 1361](/usc/2/1361.md)).
- (5) **Applicability—** Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the term “[covered employee](/usc/2/1301.md?p=a-3)” shall not, for purposes of this section, include an [employee](/usc/2/1301.md?p=a-4)—
  - (A) whose appointment is made by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate;
  - (B) whose appointment is made by a [Member](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2) of Congress or by a committee or subcommittee of either House of Congress; or
  - (C) who is appointed to a position, the duties of which are equivalent to those of a Senior Executive Service position (within the meaning of [section 3132(a)(2) of title 5](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-2)).
- (6) **Effective date—** Paragraphs [(2)](#2) and [(3)](#3) shall be effective as of the effective date of the regulations under [paragraph (4)](#4).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 105–339, § 4(c), Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3185.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, referred to in par. (3)(B), is Pub. L. 104–1, Jan. 23, 1995, 109 Stat. 3. Part A (§§ 201–207) of title II of the Act is classified principally to this part. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1301 of this title and Tables.

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998, and not as part of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 which comprises this chapter.