((a)) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Attorney General may appoint a United States attorney for the district in which the office of United States attorney is vacant.

((b)) The Attorney General shall not appoint as United States attorney a person to whose appointment by the President to that office the Senate refused to give advice and consent.

((c)) A person appointed as United States attorney under this section may serve until the earlier of—

((1)) the qualification of a United States attorney for such district appointed by the President under ; or

((2)) the expiration of 120 days after appointment by the Attorney General under this section.

((d)) If an appointment expires under subsection (c)(2), the district court for such district may appoint a United States attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled. The order of appointment by the court shall be filed with the clerk of the court.