SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITY FOR PASSPORT SERVICES.

SEC. 6101. [22 U.S.C. 211a note] SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITY FOR PASSPORT SERVICES. During the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this division, the Secretary, without regard to the provisions under sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code, may directly appoint up to 80 candidates to positions in the competitive service (as defined in section 2102 of such title) at the Department in the Passport and Visa Examining Series 0967.