SELECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE OF UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

SEC. 204. SELECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE OF UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. (a) In General.—Section 7253(d) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking “and”; (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph (B): “(B) have at least 3 years remaining in term of office; and” ; and (2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: “(2)(A) In any case in which there is no judge of the Court in regular active service who meets the requirements under paragraph (1), the judge of the Court in regular active service who is senior in commission and meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall act as the chief judge. “(B) In any case under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph in which there is no judge of the Court in regular active service who meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), the judge of the Court in regular active service who is senior in commission and meets subparagraph (C) shall act as the chief judge.” . (b) [38 U.S.C. 7253 note] Applicability.—The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to the selection of a chief judge occurring on or after January 1, 2020.