United States Secretary of Commerce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids United States Secretary of Commerce |
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Flag of the secretary
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Seal of the U.S. Department of Commerce
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| United States Department of Commerce | |
| Style | Mr. Secretary (informal) The Honorable (formal) |
| Member of | Cabinet |
| Reports to | President of the United States |
| Seat | Herbert C. Hoover Building, Washington, D.C. |
| Appointer | President of the United States
with United States Senate advice and consent
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| Term length | No fixed term |
| Constituting instrument | 15 U.S.C. § 1501 |
| Precursor | Secretary of Commerce and Labor |
| Formation | March 5, 1913 |
| First holder | William C. Redfield |
| Succession | Tenth |
| Deputy | Deputy Secretary of Commerce |
| Salary | Executive Schedule, Level I |
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The United States Secretary of Commerce is a very important person in the U.S. government. They are the leader of the United States Department of Commerce, which is a government group that helps American businesses and trade.
The Secretary of Commerce gives advice to the President of the United States about anything to do with commerce. Commerce means all the buying, selling, and trading of goods and services. This includes things made in the U.S. and things traded with other countries.
The Secretary is part of the President's main team, called the Cabinet. The President chooses the Secretary, but the United States Senate must agree with the choice. The main goal of the Department of Commerce is to help American businesses grow and succeed both at home and around the world.
Contents
A Little History of the Job
Before 1913, there was one person who was in charge of both commerce and labor (jobs). This was called the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. But in 1913, these two jobs were split into separate departments. Now, there is a Secretary of Commerce and a separate Secretary of Labor.
The person who holds this job gets a good salary. As of January 2021, the yearly salary for the Secretary of Commerce was about US$221,400.
The current Secretary of Commerce is Howard Lutnick.
Who Has Been Secretary of Commerce?
Many people have served as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce since the job was created. The very first Secretary was William C. Redfield, who started in 1913. These leaders have worked under many different presidents to help American businesses.
What Happens if the Secretary Can't Work?
There is a special plan called the "line of succession." This plan says who takes over the Secretary of Commerce's job if they are unable to do it. This makes sure that the Department of Commerce always has a leader. The first person in line to take over is the Deputy Secretary of Commerce. After that, several other important officials in the department would take over if needed.
Images for kids
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Current Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick
See also
In Spanish: Secretario de Comercio de los Estados Unidos para niños
