Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Agriculture
Headline: Establishes Order of Succession for Department of Agriculture
What it does: The Department of Agriculture must follow the listed order of officials to serve as acting Secretary when the Secretary and Deputy Secretary cannot serve.
- Establishes who will lead the Department of Agriculture if top officials are unavailable.
- Prevents officials already serving in acting roles from becoming acting Secretary under this order.
- Gives the President legal flexibility to appoint a different acting Secretary when allowed.
Summary
This order sets a clear list of officials who will act as Secretary of Agriculture if both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary are unable to serve.
It names ten specific positions in order, bars anyone who is serving in an acting role from becoming acting Secretary under this order, and preserves the President's discretion to select a different acting Secretary when permitted by law.
The order revokes an earlier succession order to update the Department’s leadership backup and help ensure continuity of operations.
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