Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Commerce

This executive order establishes the line of succession for the Secretary of Commerce, specifying nine officials who would assume the role if the Secretary dies, resigns, or becomes unable to serve. It revokes the previous succession order from 2001 and preserves presidential discretion to depart from the listed order.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 31155

Impact dates

Dec 18, 2001
Revoke EO 13242 (December 18, 2001) and October 3, 2002 memorandum

Key directives

Establish order of succession: Deputy Secretary, General Counsel, Under Secretary for International Trade, Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Under Secretary for Standards and Technology, Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere/NOAA Administrator, Under Secretary for Export Administration, CFO/Assistant Secretary (Administration), Boulder Laboratories Site Manager
Prohibit acting officials from advancing to Secretary by virtue of their acting position
Require eligibility under Federal Vacancies Reform Act
Preserve presidential discretion to depart from this order
Revoke EO 13242 (December 18, 2001) and October 3, 2002 memorandum

Timeline

Immediate

Order takes effect upon signing
Prior succession order (EO 13242) and 2002 memorandum revoked

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Continuity of leadership protocol remains in place for future vacancies

Risks & tensions

Low institutional tension; standard administrative housekeeping
Presidential discretion clause (Sec. 2(c)) creates potential uncertainty if invoked during crisis
Deep succession list (to site manager level) may raise questions about preparedness of lower-ranked officials for cabinet-level duties