ExecutiveOrdersEO
Memo 13247MemorandumG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Memorandum 13247

Designation of Officers of the Department of Veterans Affairs To Act as Secretary of Veterans Affairs

This memorandum establishes a line of succession for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, specifying four VA officers who would serve as acting Secretary if the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and previously designated officers under EO 13247 are unable to serve. It invokes the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 and preserves presidential discretion to depart from this designation.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 10141

Impact dates

  1. Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Establish order of succession for VA Secretary position
  • Specify four officers in priority order to act as Secretary
  • Exclude acting office-holders from serving as acting Secretary
  • Preserve presidential discretion to depart from this memorandum
  • Direct publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Order takes effect upon issuance

Near term (90d)

  • Publication in Federal Register

Long term

  • Remains in force until superseded by future presidential action

Risks & tensions

  • Low-level administrative continuity measure with minimal policy implications
  • Presidential discretion clause in Section 2(b) makes this designation non-binding on the President
Presidential Memorandum 13247: Designation of Officers of the Department of Veterans Affairs To Act as Secretary of Veterans Affairs · Executive Orders