Other officers

Except as provided under paragraph (2), there are the following officers, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate: If any of the Assistant Secretaries referred to under paragraph (1)(I) is designated to be the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs, the Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, or the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, that Assistant Secretary shall be appointed by the President without the advice and consent of the Senate. There shall be in the Department an Office of Inspector General and an Inspector General at the head of such office, as provided in chapter 4 of title 5. To assist the Secretary in the performance of the Secretary’s functions, there is a Commandant of the Coast Guard, who shall be appointed as provided in section 44 11 See References in Text note below. of title 14 and who shall report directly to the Secretary. In addition to such duties as may be provided in this chapter and as assigned to the Commandant by the Secretary, the duties of the Commandant shall include those required by section 2 1 of title 14. To assist the Secretary in the performance of the Secretary’s functions, there are the following officers, appointed by the President: There shall be in the Department a Chief Financial Officer, as provided in chapter 9 of title 31. Subject to the provisions of this chapter, every officer of the Department shall perform the functions specified by law for the official’s office or prescribed by the Secretary. Notwithstanding chapter 33 of title 5, the Under Secretary for Management shall serve as the Acting Secretary if by reason of absence, disability, or vacancy in office, neither the Secretary nor Deputy Secretary is available to exercise the duties of the Office of the Secretary. Notwithstanding chapter 33 of title 5, the Secretary may designate such other officers of the Department in further order of succession to serve as Acting Secretary. The Secretary shall notify the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives of any vacancies that require notification under sections 3345 through 3349d of title 5 (commonly known as the “Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998”).