; (2) the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives; . (3) Vacancies during presidential inaugural transitions Section 3349a(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) Notwithstanding section 3346 (except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection) or 3348(c), with respect to any vacancy that exists on a transitional inauguration day, or that arises during the 60-day period beginning on such day, the person serving as an acting officer as described in section 3345 may serve in the office— (1) for no longer than 300 days beginning on such day; or (2) subject to section 3346(b), once a first or second nomination for the office is submitted to the Senate, from the date of such nomination for the period that the nomination is pending in the Senate. . IX Strengthening Hatch Act Enforcement and Penalties A Strengthening Hatch Act Enforcement and Penalties 901. Short title This title may be cited as the Hatch Act Accountability Act . 902. Strengthening Hatch Act enforcement and penalties against political appointees (a) Investigations by office of special counsel Section 1216 of title 5, United States Code, as amended by section 307, is amended— (1) in subsection (c), by striking (1), ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (e) (1) In addition to the authority otherwise provided in this chapter, the Special Counsel— (A) shall conduct an investigation with respect to any allegation concerning political activity prohibited under subchapter III of chapter 73 (relating to political activities by Federal employees)