Executive Order 13271: Order of Succession for Secretary of Agriculture

Strategic Insights -

Executive Order 13271 was issued on December 18, 2001, by President George W. Bush, establishing the order of succession for the Secretary of Agriculture. The order outlines the specific individuals who will serve as acting Secretary in the event that the Secretary and Deputy Secretary are unable to perform their duties. The order also provides exceptions to the rule, including the prohibition on individuals serving in an acting capacity to act as Secretary.

The order designates a clear chain of succession, starting with the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, followed by the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and so on. The order also stipulates that the President retains the discretion to depart from this order in designating an acting Secretary. Executive Order 11957, issued by President Jimmy Carter in 1977, was revoked by this order.

Key Takeaways:

  • The order establishes a clear chain of succession for the Secretary of Agriculture, with a list of 10 individuals who will serve as acting Secretary in the event of a vacancy.
  • The order specifically prohibits individuals serving in an acting capacity from acting as Secretary, except in exceptional circumstances.
  • The President retains the discretion to depart from the established order of succession in designating an acting Secretary.
  • Executive Order 11957 was revoked by this order, effective December 18, 2001.
  • The order was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on December 28 and published in the Federal Register on December 21.

Statistics:

  • 10 individuals are named in the order of succession for the Secretary of Agriculture.
  • The order was issued on December 18, 2001.
  • Executive Order 11957 was revoked by this order.
  • The order was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2001.
  • The order was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on December 28.

Sources:

  • Executive Order 13271, December 18, 2001, [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., December 20, 2001].
  • Federal Register, Volume 66, Number 247, December 21, 2001.
  • The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, December 28, 2001.