Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Agriculture
Establishes Succession Order for Department of Agriculture Leadership
What it does
Department of Agriculture officials must follow the specified succession list to determine who will act as Secretary when both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary cannot serve.
Real-world impact
- Clarifies who temporarily leads the Department when top leaders cannot serve.
- Prevents officials serving in acting roles from becoming acting Secretary.
- Requires successors to meet eligibility under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
Topics
Summary
This order sets the line of officials who will act as Secretary of Agriculture if both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary die, resign, or are otherwise unable to perform their duties. It lists sixteen specific offices in a fixed order and includes tie-breaking rules for certain state and regional positions.
The order bars individuals serving in those offices only in an acting capacity from becoming acting Secretary, requires successors to be eligible under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, allows the President to depart from the list when law permits, and revokes a prior related executive order.
Questions, answered
Ask questions about this executive order and its implications. Try:
- “What agencies are affected by this order?”
- “How does this order change existing policy?”
- “What are the practical implications of this order?”