5 U.S.C. § 5921: Definitions

“Government” means the Government of the United States; “agency” means an Executive agency and the Library of Congress, but does not include a Government controlled corporation; “employee” means an employee in or under an agency and more specifically defined by regulations prescribed by the President; “United States”, when used in a geographical sense, means the several States and the District of Columbia; “continental United States” means the several States and the District of Columbia, but does not include Alaska or Hawaii; and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; and any other area outside the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Canal Zone, and territories and possessions of the United States. The Secretary of State shall establish and implement an appropriate housing policy and space standards in consultation with all agencies with employees outside the United States who are under the authority of the chief of mission or with other agencies or employees who participate in the overseas housing program. Such policy may not provide housing or related benefits based solely on the representational status of the employee, except if such individual is the ambassador, deputy chief of mission, permanent charge, or the consul general when serving as the principal officer. The Secretary of State may grant exceptions to the restriction on providing housing or related benefits on a representational basis under subsection (a) on a case-by-case basis where a documented need for such exception is established. The Secretary of State shall prepare a comprehensive list annually of all such exceptions granted under this subsection.”