; and (ii) shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (B) Co-chair vacancy In the event of a vacancy of a co-chair of the Task Force, a replacement co-chair shall be selected in the same manner as the original selection. (7) Compensation Except as provided in paragraph (8), members of the Task Force shall serve without pay. (8) Travel expenses Members of the Task Force shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of service for the Task Force. (d) Meetings (1) In general The Task Force shall meet at the call of the co-chairs of the Task Force. (2) Quorum A majority of the members of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum. (3) Initial meeting The Task Force shall meet not later than 60 days after the date on which a majority of the members of the Task Force have been appointed. (e) Staff of task force (1) Additional staff The co-chairs of the Task Force may appoint and fix the pay of additional staff to the Task Force as the co-chairs consider appropriate. (2) Applicability of certain civil service laws The staff of the Task Force may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. (3) Detailees Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Task Force without reimbursement from the Task Force, and the detailee shall retain the rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular employment without interruption. (f) Powers of task force (1) Testimony and evidence The Task Force may take such testimony and receive such evidence as the Task Force considers advisable to carry out this section. (2) Obtaining official data The