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The 'Deputy Secretary of the Interior', in the United States government, advises and assists the Secretary of the Interior in the supervision and direction of the Department of the Interior and its activities, and succeeds the Secretary in his or her absence, sickness, or unavailability. The Deputy Secretary plays a primary role in the formulation and execution of Interior-related policies and programs in all aspects of the Department's activities. The Deputy Secretary of the Interior is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. In 1990, the title of the position was changed from 'Under Secretary of the Interior' to 'Deputy Secretary of the Interior'.
The current Deputy Secretary is Lynn Scarlett, who was sworn in November 22, 2005. With the resignation Secretary Gale Norton announced March 10, 2006, effective at the end of March, Scarlett became the Acting Secretary of the Interior until President George W. Bush's nomination for Secretary, Dirk Kempthorne, was confirmed by the United States Senate. The last Deputy Secretary, sworn in on July 12, 2001, was J. Steven Griles.
Section 3346 of U.S. Code within Title 5, or 5 U.S.C. § 3346, details time limitations of acting officers. An acting officer may serve no longer than 210 days after the vacancy, from the date a first or second nomination is pending before the Senate, the date a first or second nomination is withdrawn, rejected, or returned, or the date the Senate reconvenes if the appointment has taken place while Congress has adjourned sine die.

Contents

External links

External links

★ The law providing the establishment of a Deputy Secretary, from Cornell Law School

★ A list of amendments to the above law.

★ 5 U.S.C. § 3346

★ The biography of the current Deputy Secretary