In this chapter, the term “Chief Justice” means the Chief Justice of the United States or the designee of the Chief Justice, except that when there is a vacancy in the office of the Chief Justice, the most senior associate justice of the Supreme Court shall be deemed to be the Chief Justice for purposes of this chapter until the vacancy is filled.
(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1188.)