5 U.S.C. § 4508

1. (a)For purposes of this section, the term—
   1. (1)“Presidential election period” means any period beginning on June 1 in a calendar year in which the popular election of the President occurs, and ending on January 20 following the date of such election; and
   2. (2)“senior politically appointed officer” means any officer who during a Presidential election period serves—
      1. (A)in a Senior Executive Service position and is not a career appointee as defined under section 3132(a)(4); or
      2. (B)in a position of a confidential or policy-determining character under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
2. (b)No senior politically appointed officer may receive an award under the provisions of this subchapter during a Presidential election period.