I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 393 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 10, 2017 Mr. Thornberry introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To provide for an exception to a limitation against appointment of persons as Secretary of Defense within seven years of relief from active duty as a regular commissioned officer of the Armed Forces.

1. Exception to limitation against appointment of persons as secretary of defense within seven years of relief from active duty as regular commissioned officers of the Armed Forces (a) In general Notwithstanding the second sentence of section 113(a) of title 10, United States Code, the first person appointed, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, as Secretary of Defense after the date of the enactment of this Act may be a person who is, on the date of appointment, within seven years after relief, but not within three years after relief, from active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular component of the Armed Forces. (b) Limited exception This section applies only to the first person appointed as Secretary of Defense as described in subsection (a) after the date of the enactment of this Act, and to no other person.