((a)) ** Definition** In this section, the term “covered period” means the period beginning on , and ending on the sooner of—

((1)) the termination date of the national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak declared by the President on under the National Emergencies Act ( et seq.); or

((2)) .

((b)) ** Authority** During the covered period, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission may, without regard to sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, recruit and appoint candidates to fill temporary and term appointments within their respective agencies upon a determination that those expedited procedures are necessary and appropriate to enable the respective agencies to prevent, prepare for, or respond to COVID–19.