---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 4508"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "4508"
heading: "Limitation of awards during a Presidential election year"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/4508"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart C — Employee Performance"
  - "Chapter 45 — Incentive Awards"
  - "Subchapter I — Awards for Superior Accomplishments"
---

# §4508. Limitation of awards during a Presidential election year

- (a) For purposes of this section, the term—
  - (1) “Presidential election period” means any period beginning on June 1 in a calendar year in which the popular election of the President occurs, and ending on January 20 following the date of such election; and
  - (2) “senior politically appointed officer” means any officer who during a Presidential election period serves—
    - (A) in a [Senior Executive Service position](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-2) and is not a [career appointee](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-4) as defined under [section 3132(a)(4)](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-4); or
    - (B) in a [position](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-3) of a confidential or policy-determining character under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
- (b) No senior politically appointed officer may receive an award under the provisions of this subchapter during a Presidential election period.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 103–425, § 2(a), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4369.)