Title 2 — The CongressRelease 119-73not60

§1432 Political Affiliation and Place of Residence

Title 2 › Chapter 24— CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY › Subchapter V— MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › § 1432

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

Congressional offices may use a person’s political party, where they live, and whether their politics match the office when hiring or assigning staff. This rule covers staff of House and Senate leaders, committee or joint committee staff, Members’ staff, officers or congressional employees chosen or appointed by the House, Senate, a Member, or a Senator, and people applying for those jobs.

Full Legal Text

Title 2, §1432

The Congress — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)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;

(b)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).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

2 U.S.C. § 1432

Title 2 — The Congress

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60