Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Agriculture
Establishes Succession Order for Department of Agriculture Officials
What it does
Department of Agriculture officials must follow the listed order to act as Secretary when both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary cannot perform their duties.
Real-world impact
- Creates a clear replacement sequence for the department's top leadership.
- Prevents officials serving in acting roles from becoming acting Secretary under this order.
- Requires successors to meet eligibility under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
Topics
Summary
This order sets a specific sequence of Department of Agriculture officials who will step in as Secretary if both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary die, resign, or cannot serve. It lists fifteen positions in order, including under secretaries, assistant secretaries, the general counsel, and certain regional and state directors.
The order bars officials who are serving in an acting capacity from becoming acting Secretary under this list unless they meet federal eligibility rules, and it preserves the President's discretion to choose a different acting Secretary where allowed by law.
Questions, answered
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- “How does this order change existing policy?”
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