Definitions — Us Code Code § 5521
Us Code Code § 5521 — Definitions. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.
§ 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. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 479; Pub. L. 90–623, §1(10), Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1312; Pub. L. 96–54, §2(a)(31), Aug. 14, 1979, 93 Stat. 383; Pub. L. 113–235, div. H, title I, §1301(b), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2537.)
| 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
1979—Par. (3)(B). Pub. L. 96–54 substituted "Mayor" for "Commissioner".
1968—Par. (3)(B). Pub. L. 90–623 substituted "Commissioner" for "Board of Commissioners".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
"Government Publishing Office" substituted for "Government Printing Office" in par. (1)(D) on authority of section 1301(b) of Pub. L. 113–235, set out as a note preceding section 301 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.
Effective Date of 1979 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–54 effective July 12, 1979, see section 2(b) of Pub. L. 96–54, set out as a note under section 305 of this title.
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–623 intended to restate without substantive change the law in effect on Oct. 22, 1968, see section 6 of Pub. L. 90–623, set out as a note under section 5334 of this title.
About This Section
5 U.S.C. § 5521 is part of Title 5 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 5 U.S.C. § 5521. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.