US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

5 U.S.C. § 5521

Definitions

For the purpose of this subchapter—
(1)
“agency” means—
(A)
an Executive agency;
(B)
the judicial branch;
(C)
the Library of Congress;
(D)
the Government Publishing Office; and
(E)
the government of the District of Columbia;
(2)
“employee” means an individual employed in or under an agency;
(3)
“head of each agency” means—
(A)
the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts with respect to the judicial branch; and
(B)
the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to the government of the District of Columbia; and
(4)
“United States”, when used in a geographical sense, means the several States and the District of Columbia.

Pub. L. 89–55480 Stat. 479 Pub. L. 90–623, § 1(10)82 Stat. 1312 Pub. L. 96–54, § 2(a)(31)93 Stat. 383 Pub. L. 113–235, div. H, title I, § 1301(b)128 Stat. 2537 (, , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Derivation

U.S. Code

Revised Statutes and

Statutes at Large

 

5 U.S.C. 3071.

Sept. 26, 1961, Pub. L. 87–304, § 1, 75 Stat. 662.

June 24, 1965, Pub. L. 89–47, 79 Stat. 171.

In paragraph (1), the word “agency” is substituted for “department”. The term “Executive agency” is substituted for the reference to “each executive department of the Government of the United States of America; each agency or independent establishment in the executive branch of such Government; each corporation wholly owned or controlled by such Government” in former section 3071(1)(A)–(C).

Paragraph (2) is added for clarity and in view of the fact that the definition of “employee” in section 2105 does not include individuals employed by the government of the District of Columbia.

In paragraph (3), the term “department head” is omitted as unnecessary.

In paragraph (4), the words “of the United States of America” are omitted as unnecessary.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 96–541979—Par. (3)(B). substituted “Mayor” for “Commissioner”.

Pub. L. 90–6231968—Par. (3)(B). substituted “Commissioner” for “Board of Commissioners”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

section 1301(b) of Pub. L. 113–235section 301 of Title 44“Government Publishing Office” substituted for “Government Printing Office” in par. (1)(D) on authority of , set out as a note preceding , Public Printing and Documents.

Effective Date of 1979 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–54section 2(b) of Pub. L. 96–54section 305 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–623section 6 of Pub. L. 90–623section 5334 of this titleAmendment by intended to restate without substantive change the law in effect on , see , set out as a note under .