POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

SEC. 316. POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND PLACE OF RESIDENCE. (a) In General.— It shall not be a violation with respect to an employee described in subsection (b) to consider the— (1) party affiliation; (2) domicile; or 105 STAT. 1096 (3) political compatibility with the employing office, of such an employee with respect to employment decisions. (b) Definition.— For purposes of this section, the term “employee” means— (1) an employee on the staff of the Senate leadership; (2) an employee on the staff of a committee or subcommittee; (3) an employee on the staff of a Member of the Senate; (4) an officer or employee of the Senate elected by the Senate or appointed by a Member, other than those described in paragraphs (1) through (3); or (5) an applicant for a position that is to be occupied by an individual described in paragraphs (1) through (4).