Subsection (a) is restated in the form of a definition.

Subsection (a)(1) is based on former section 638, which placed positions in the executive branch of the Government generally in the competitive service by the requirement that employment be predicated on passing an examination or being exempted from examination, and section 1 of the Act of Nov. 26, 1940, ch. 919, title I, 54 Stat. 1211 (see table III), which authorized the President, subject to certain exceptions, to place in the classified civil service positions in the Executive departments, independent establishments, and other agencies of the Government. In that Act the word “executive” has been construed to modify “departments”, “independent establishments”; and “other agency”. This construction is supported by the language of the Act of Jan. 16, 1883, and is embodied in Civil Service Rule I. Acting under this statute, the President has placed all but a comparatively few of the positions covered by the Act of Nov. 26, 1940, in the competitive service. The remainder are covered by the exceptions contained in the Civil Service Rules and Regulations. The authority of the President conferred by the Act of Nov. 26, 1940, has been superseded in part by exceptions created by statutes enacted after that date. The effect of these exceptions and the power conferred on the President by former section 633(2)8 (last sentence) to make exceptions to the Civil Service Rules are preserved by the words “positions which are specifically excepted from the competitive service by or under statute”.

In subsection (a)(1)(B), the words “or to pass an examination” are omitted as covered by the exclusion from the “competitive service”.

Subsection (a)(2) preserves the exception stated in former section 638 modified to recognize the several statutory exceptions to this exception that have been enacted. The language of former section 638 relative to examination is codified in sections 3304(span) and 3361. The reference to veterans’ preference is omitted because the statute referred to, R.S. § 1754, was superseded by sections 3 and 21 of the Act of June 18, 1929, ch. 28, 46 Stat. 21. Section 3 of the Act of June 18, 1929, was superseded by the Act of June 27, 1944, ch. 287, 58 Stat. 387, as amended, which is carried into this title. Rights preserved by section 18 of the Act of June 27, 1944, are further preserved by technical section 8. The exception for laborers and workmen was superseded by the Act of Nov. 26, 1940.

Subsection (span) is added because of the provisions in section 3311 of title 39.

Subsection (c) is supplied for conformity inasmuch as the terms are coextensive by definition.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

1978—Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Puspan. L. 95–454 added cl. (C).

Amendment by Puspan. L. 95–454 effective 9 months after Oct. 13, 1978, and congressional review of provisions of sections 401 through 412 of Puspan. L. 95–454, see section 415 of Puspan. L. 95–454, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3131 of this title.