H.R. 335
117th Congress
House
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.
Armed Forces and National Security
Department of DefenseFederal officialsMilitary command and structureMilitary personnel and dependentsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Everywhere this bill has been
15 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 22, 2021
Became Public Law No: 117-1.
Jan 22, 2021
Signed by President.
Jan 21, 2021
ORDER OF PROCEDURE - Mr. McGovern asked for unanimous consent that it be in order at any time to consider H.R. 335 in the House if called up by the chair of the Committee on Armed Services or his designee; that all points of order against consideration of the bill be waived; that the bill be considered as read; that all points of order against provisions in the bill be waiverd; and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services or their respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit. Agreed to without objection.
Jan 21, 2021
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Received in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed (under the order of 1/21/21, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative) without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 69 - 27. Record Vote Number: 4.(consideration: CR S86-87)
Jan 21, 2021
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 326 - 78 (Roll no. 18). (text: CR H210)
Jan 21, 2021
The previous question was ordered pursuant to a previous order of the House.
Jan 21, 2021
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous special order, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 335.
Jan 21, 2021
Considered pursuant to a previous order. (consideration: CR H209-219)
Jan 21, 2021
Consideration initiated pursuant to a previous order.
Jan 21, 2021
Presented to President.
Jan 21, 2021
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jan 21, 2021
Received in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed (under the order of 1/21/21, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative) without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 69 - 27. Record Vote Number: 4. (consideration: CR S86-87)
Jan 21, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 15, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Jan 15, 2021
Introduced in House
Votes taken on this bill
2
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 21, 2021 | Senate · vote #4 | On Passage of the Bill H.R. 335 | Passed | 69–27 | See who voted → |
| Jan 21, 2021 | House · vote #18 | On Passage | Passed | 326–78 | See who voted → |
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Latest action
Became Public Law No: 117-1.
Plain-English summary
This bill allows the first person nominated and appointed as Secretary of Defense after 12 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on January 20, 2021, to be a person who is, on the date of appointment, at least four years after relief from active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular component of the Armed Forces. Under current law, an individual may not be appointed as Secretary of Defense within seven years after relief from such active duty.
Related & companion bills
2
Bill text
5 versions
- Engrossed in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Enrolled Bill Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Public Law Formatted Text PDF United States Legislative Markup
- Received in Senate Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Committees of jurisdiction
1
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 335: 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.. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-335/
"H.R. 335: 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.." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-335/.
H.R. 335, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-335/.
[H.R. 335: 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.](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-335/)