Limit on termination of employees during Government shutdowns

(a) In general During any period in which there is a lapse in discretionary appropriations, neither the President nor the head of an Executive agency may remove from the civil service, including as part of a reduction in force, any employee of an Executive agency, other than a political appointee. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Civil service; Executive agency The terms civil service and Executive agency have the meanings given such terms in sections 2101 and 105, respectively, of title 5, United States Code. (2) Political appointee The term political appointee means an individual serving in an appointment to a political position. (3) Political position 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 in 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.