Us Code § 5721 - Definitions
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 5721 — Definitions, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 5721. Definitions
For the purpose of this subchapter—
(1) "agency" means—
(A) an Executive agency;
(B) a military department;
(C) a court of the United States;
(D) the Administrative Office of the United States Courts;
(E) the Library of Congress;
(F) the Botanic Garden;
(G) the Architect of the Capitol;
(H) the Government Publishing Office; and
(I) the government of the District of Columbia;
but does not include a Government controlled corporation;
(2) "employee" means an individual employed in or under an agency;
(3) "continental United States" means the several States and the District of Columbia, but does not include Alaska or Hawaii;
(4) "Government" means the Government of the United States and the government of the District of Columbia;
(5) "appropriation" includes funds made available by statute under section 9104 of title 31;
(6) "United States" means the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the territories and possessions of the United States, and the areas and installations in the Republic of Panama that are made available to the United States pursuant to the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related agreements (as described in section 3(a) of the Panama Canal Act of 1979); and
(7) "Foreign Service of the United States" means the Foreign Service as constituted under the Foreign Service Act of 1980.
(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 500; Pub. L. 97–258, §3(a)(14), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1063; Pub. L. 105–264, §6(1), Oct. 19, 1998, 112 Stat. 2356; Pub. L. 110–161, div. H, title I, §1303(a), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2242; Pub. L. 113–235, div. H, title I, §1301(b), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2537.)
Historical and Revision Notes
The section is based on sections 18 and 19 of the Act of Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, 60 Stat. 811, 812. Sections 18 and 19 of the Act of Aug. 2, 1946, are omitted from this title and transferred to other titles of the United States Code since such sections apply also to sections 9, 11, and 16(a) of the Act of Aug. 2, 1946, which sections appear in titles 31 and 41 of the United States Code.
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 3(a) of the Panama Canal Act of 1979, referred to in par. (6), is classified to section 3602(a) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.
The Foreign Service Act of 1980, referred to in par. (7), is Pub. L. 96–465, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2071, which is classified principally to chapter 52 (§3901 et seq.) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3901 of Title 22 and Tables.
Amendments
2007—Par. (1)(G) to (I). Pub. L. 110–161 added subpar. (G) and redesignated former subpars. (G) and (H) as (H) and (I), respectively.
1998—Pars. (6), (7). Pub. L. 105–264 added pars. (6) and (7).
1982—Par. (5). Pub. L. 97–258 substituted "section 9104" for "section 849".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
"Government Publishing Office" substituted for "Government Printing Office" in par. (1)(H) on authority of section 1301(b) of Pub. L. 113–235, set out as a note preceding section 301 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.
About This Section
5 U.S.C. § 5721 is part of Title 5 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 5 U.S.C. § 5721. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.