United States Secretary of Commerce

The United States secretary of commerce is a high-ranking federal official who heads the Department of Commerce (DOC). The office of secretary was established in 1913 when the DOC was founded as a separate federal department. The secretary of commerce is appointed by the president of the United States and answers directly to and advises the president. The secretary has many tasks, mainly relating to the promotion of economic growth through creating jobs, enhancing security and leadership, monitoring trade, and other functions.

Overview

A healthy economy is integral to any modern society. Since the earliest days of the United States, monitoring economic growth was a primary concern of many government leaders. However, there was no formal federal department to oversee economic growth until 1903. That year, President Theodore Roosevelt established the US Department of Commerce and Labor. This organization took on a wide array of economic duties in the United States.

In 1913, President Howard Taft reevaluated the structure and responsibilities of the Department of Commerce and Labor. He felt that the organization would be more efficient if it were more specialized. On March 4, 1913, Taft split the department and created a stand-alone Department of Commerce (DOC). He tasked the DOC with the overall goal of broadening the opportunities for economic growth across the country.

The secretary of commerce is the leader of the DOC. The president of the United States appoints the secretary, with the approval of the Senate, for an unfixed term in office. The secretary not only heads the DOC in its economic missions, but they also report directly to the president and serve as an influential advisor in the president’s cabinet. In the federal line of succession, the secretary of commerce ranks tenth. A panel of advisors and helpers assists the secretary with various tasks.

The secretary of commerce is responsible for overseeing and guiding the DOC in all of its varied works. In modern times, this includes helping to create jobs, maintain economic and national security, and promote leadership skills among Americans. The DOC also monitors trade, sets standards, conducts research and development, and collects and analyzes economic data. As the DOC's leader and spokesperson, the secretary may network with communities, universities, and businesses. They may also work in conjunction with many other government agencies.

Most secretaries have been college graduates. Some served as high-ranking government officials, including a vice president and several Congress members, before taking office as secretary of commerce. The first secretary, William C. Redfield, held office from 1913 to 1919. He was an industrial executive and author who promoted the growth of iron and steel companies. Herbert C. Hoover, the longest-serving secretary of commerce, filled the office for more than seven years. Juanita Kreps served as the twenty-fourth secretary of commerce. She was the first woman and only economist to hold the office. Kreps was the president of Duke University and a labor demographics specialist. Under Bill Clinton's administration, Ronald Brown became the first Black secretary of commerce, and, late in the Clinton presidency, Norman Mineta served briefly as the first person of East Asian descent to hold the position.

Bibliography

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"Bringing Economic Equity and Opportunity to America’s Tribal Communities." US Department of Commerce, 25 Nov. 2024, www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2024/11/bringing-economic-equity-and-opportunity-americas-tribal-communities. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

“Department of Commerce.” Investopedia, 2018, www.investopedia.com/terms/d/department-of-commerce.asp. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

“History.” US Department of Commerce, www.commerce.gov/about/history. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

“Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce.” US Department of Commerce, www.commerce.gov/about/leadership/howard-lutnick. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

“Leadership.” US Department of Commerce, www.commerce.gov/about/leadership. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

“Providing an Order of Succession within the Department of Commerce.” Federal Register, 24 May 2012, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/05/24/2012-12882/providing-an-order-of-succession-within-the-department-of-commerce. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

“3 U.S. Code § 19 - Vacancies in Offices of Both President and Vice President; Officers Eligible to Serve.” Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute, www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/19. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

“US Department of Commerce.” USA.gov, www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-department-of-commerce. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.