US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 8017

Secretary of the Navy: successors to duties

1
1 See References in Text note below.
If the Secretary of the Navy dies, resigns, is removed from office, is absent, or is disabled, the person who is highest on the following list, and who is not absent or disabled, shall perform the duties of the Secretary until the President, under section 3347  of title 5, directs another person to perform those duties or until the absence or disability ceases:
(1)
The Under Secretary of the Navy.
(2)
The Assistant Secretaries of the Navy, in the order prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy and approved by the Secretary of Defense.
(3)
The General Counsel of the Department of the Navy.
(4)
The Chief of Naval Operations.
(5)
The Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Pub. L. 99–433, title V, § 511(c)(4)100 Stat. 1047Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title IX, § 902(b)108 Stat. 2823Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(a)(1)132 Stat. 1834(Added , , , § 5017; amended , , ; renumbered § 8017, , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 3347 of title 5Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title I, § 151(b)112 Stat. 2681–611section 3345 of Title 5, referred to in text, was repealed and a new section 3347 was enacted by , , , and, as so enacted, no longer contains provisions authorizing the President to direct temporary successors to duties. See , Government Organization and Employees.

Prior Provisions

section 5036 of this titlePub. L. 99–433Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in prior to enactment of .

section 9017 of this titleA prior section 8017 was renumbered .

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–232section 5017 of this title2018— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 103–3371994—Pars. (3) to (5). added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) and (4) as (4) and (5), respectively.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–232section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see , set out as a note preceding .

Order of Succession

section 3345 of Title 5For order of succession in event of death, permanent disability, or resignation of Secretary of the Navy, see Ex. Ord. No. 12879, , 58 F.R. 59929, listed in a table under , Government Organization and Employees.