; and (2) the appointment of whom shall be made solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the position and without regard to political affiliation. (d) Staff Subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Commission, the Executive Director shall have the power to— (1) appoint, fix the compensation of, and remove such other personnel as he or she determines to be necessary; and (2) procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code. (e) Applicability of other laws to employees Except as otherwise provided in this Act, persons in the employ of the Commission under subsections (c) and (d)(1) shall be considered Federal employees for all purposes. (f) Maximum Compensation of employees Any individual in the employ of the Commission under subsection (d)(1) may not be paid at a rate of pay greater than the highest rate of basic pay provided under the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code. 8. Application of the Federal Advisory Committee Act Section 3(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App) is amended, in the matter following subparagraph (C)— (1) by striking and before (ii)