5 U.S.C. § 5701: Definitions

Except as otherwise provided in section 5707(d), for the purpose of this subchapter—(1) “agency” means—(A) an Executive agency; (B) a military department; (C) an office, agency, or other establishment in the legislative branch; (D) an office, agency, or other establishment in the judicial branch; and (E) the government of the District of Columbia; but does not include— (i) a Government controlled corporation; (ii) a Member of Congress; or (iii) an office or committee of either House of Congress or of the two Houses; (2) “employee” means an individual employed in or under an agency including an individual employed intermittently in the Government service as an expert or consultant and paid on a daily when-actually-employed basis and an individual serving without pay or at $1 a year; (3) “subsistence” means lodging, meals, and other necessary expenses for the personal sustenance and comfort of the traveler; (4) “per diem allowance” means a daily payment instead of actual expenses for subsistence and fees or tips to porters and stewards; (5) “Government” means the Government of the United States and the government of the District of Columbia; and (6) “continental United States” means the several States and the District of Columbia, but does not include Alaska or Hawaii.