((1)) ** In general** Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (c) of , the Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other United States Government employees under chief of mission authority are authorized to pay for the transportation by a foreign air carrier of Department and USAID personnel, and other United States Government employees under chief of mission authority and any in-cabin or accompanying checked baggage or cargo if—

((A)) no air carrier holding a certificate under section 41102 of such title is willing and able to transport up to 3 domestic animals accompanying such Federal personnel; and

((B)) the transportation is from a place—

((i)) outside the United States to a place in the United States;

((ii)) in the United States to a place outside the United States; or

((iii)) outside the United States to another place outside the United States.

((2)) ** Limitation** An amount paid pursuant to paragraph (1) for transportation by a foreign carrier may not be greater than the amount that would otherwise have been paid had the transportation been on an air carrier holding a certificate under section 41102 had that carrier been willing and able to provide such transportation. If the amount that would otherwise have been paid to such an air carrier is less than the cost of transportation on the applicable foreign carrier, the Department personnel may pay the difference of such amount.

((3)) ** Domestic animal defined** In this subsection, the term “domestic animal” means a dog or a cat.