5 U.S.C. § 3303

Competitive service; recommendations of Senators or Representatives

An individual concerned in examining an applicant for or appointing him in the competitive service may not receive or consider a recommendation of the applicant by a Senator or Representative, except as to the character or residence of the applicant.

( Pub. L. 89–554 , Sept. 6, 1966 , 80 Stat. 418 ; Pub. L. 103–94, § 8(a) , Oct. 6, 1993 , 107 Stat. 1006 ; Pub. L. 104–197, title III, § 315(a) , Sept. 16, 1996 , 110 Stat. 2416 .)