Designation of Officials of the Office of Science and Technology Policy To Act as Director

Presidential Document Memorandum

Designation of Officials of the Office of Science and Technology Policy To Act as Director

This memorandum, issued by the President on January 3, 2025, outlines the order of succession for the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director. It specifies which officials can act as Director if the current Director is unable to perform their duties. The memorandum also revokes a previous order from January 13, 2017, and clarifies that it does not create any enforceable rights or benefits.

  • Issued by the President on January 3, 2025.
  • Establishes the order of succession for the OSTP Director.
  • Officials eligible to act as Director include Associate Directors, Chief of Staff, Deputy Directors, and General Counsel, based on seniority.
  • Individuals serving in an acting capacity cannot act as Director.
  • The President retains discretion to designate an acting Director.
  • Revokes the previous memorandum from January 13, 2017.
  • Does not create enforceable rights or benefits against the U.S. government.

Summary last updated: January 11, 2025

Original Text
Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 7 (Monday, January 13, 2025) [Federal Register Volume 90, Number 7 (Monday, January 13, 2025)] [Presidential Documents] [Pages 2597-2598] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2025-00673] Presidential Documents Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 7 / Monday, January 13, 2025 / Presidential Documents [[Page 2597]] Memorandum of January 3, 2025 Designation of Officials of the Office of Science and Technology Policy To Act as Director Memorandum for the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. (the ``Act''), it is hereby ordered that: Section 1. Order of Succession. Subject to the provisions of section 2 of this memorandum, and to the limitations set forth in the Act, the following officials of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), in the order listed, shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the office of the Director of OSTP (Director) during any period in which the Director has died, resigned, or otherwise become unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of Director: (a) Any Associate Director of OSTP (including any Associate Director designated as the United States Chief Technology Officer), in order of seniority based on date of appointment to such position; (b) Chief of Staff of OSTP; (c) Any Deputy Director of OSTP (including any Deputy Director designated Principal Deputy Director or Principal Deputy United States Chief Technology Officer), in order of seniority based on date of appointment to such position; and (d) General Counsel of OSTP. Sec. 2. Exceptions. (a) No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1 of this memorandum in an acting capacity shall, by virtue of so serving, act as Director pursuant to this memorandum. (b) No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1 of this memorandum shall act as Director unless that individual is otherwise eligible to so serve under the Act. (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this memorandum, the President retains discretion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart from this memorandum in designating an acting Director. Sec. 3. Revocation. The Presidential Memorandum of January 13, 2017 (Designation of Officers or Employees of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to Act as Director), is hereby revoked. Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by [[Page 2598]] any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register. (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, January 3, 2025 [FR Doc. 2025-00673 Filed 1-10-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3170-W0-P

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