§1432. Political affiliation and place of residence

(a) In general

It shall not be a violation of any provision of section 1311 of this title to consider the-

(1) party affiliation;

(2) domicile; or

(3) political compatibility with the employing office;

of an employee referred to in subsection (b) with respect to employment decisions.

(b) "Employee" defined

For purposes of subsection (a), the term "employee" means-

(1) an employee on the staff of the leadership of the House of Representatives or the leadership of the Senate;

(2) an employee on the staff of a committee or subcommittee of-

(A) the House of Representatives;

(B) the Senate; or

(C) a joint committee of the Congress;

(3) an employee on the staff of a Member of the House of Representatives or on the staff of a Senator;

(4) an officer of the House of Representatives or the Senate or a congressional employee who is elected by the House of Representatives or Senate or is appointed by a Member of the House of Representatives or by a Senator (in addition an employee described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3)); or

(5) an applicant for a position that is to be occupied by an individual described in any of paragraphs (1) through (4).

( Pub. L. 104–1, title V, §502, Jan. 23, 1995, 109 Stat. 39 .)