Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Commerce

2001-12-21Executive Order 13242
Signed by: George W. Bush
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Headline: Establishes Succession Order for Department of Commerce Leadership

What it does: The order directs listed Department of Commerce officers to serve, in order, as Acting Secretary when the Secretary and Deputy Secretary cannot perform their duties.

Real World Impact:
  • Establishes who will temporarily lead the Commerce Department if top two officials are unavailable.
  • Bars officials serving in an acting capacity from becoming Acting Secretary under this order.
  • Allows the President to choose a different acting Secretary despite the listed succession.
Topics: government succession, department leadership, federal administration, Commerce Department

Summary

This order sets a clear line of succession for the Department of Commerce. It lists eight specific Commerce officers who will act as Secretary if both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary die, resign, or cannot perform their duties.

It also says that anyone serving in one of those listed jobs only in an acting capacity cannot act as Secretary under this order, and that the President may choose someone else instead. The order revokes three earlier executive orders named in the text.

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