The Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs, or USC-EA, is a high-ranking official in the

United States Department of Commerce The United States Department of Commerce is an executive department of the U.S. federal government concerned with creating the conditions for economic growth and opportunity. Among its tasks are gathering economic and demographic data for bus ...

that serves as the principal adviser to the

United States Secretary of Commerce The United States secretary of commerce (SecCom) is the head of the United States Department of Commerce. The secretary serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all matters relating to commerce. The secretary rep ...

on economic analysis. The Under Secretary is ''

ex officio An ''ex officio'' member is a member of a body (notably a board, committee, council) who is part of it by virtue of holding another office. The term '' ex officio'' is Latin, meaning literally 'from the office', and the sense intended is 'by right ...

'' the Administrator of the

Economics and Statistics Administration The Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) is an agency within the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) that analyzes, disseminates, and reports on national economic and demographic data. Its three primary missions are the following:< ...

. The Under Secretary is appointed by the

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal gove ...

and confirmed by the

United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and po ...

to serve at the pleasure of the President. In October 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Jed Kolko to be Under Secretary. He was confirmed by the

on April 7, 2022, and sworn in on April 19.

Overview

The Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs oversees the

as that body's Administrator. As the principal element of the Commerce Department for economic affairs, the Under Secretary provides timely economic analysis and disseminates national economic indicators. The Under Secretary serves as the Department's representative to the President's

Council of Economic Advisers The Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) is a United States agency within the Executive Office of the President established in 1946, which advises the President of the United States on economic policy. The CEA provides much of the empirical rese ...

, interagency panels on economic issues, and other government agencies concerned with economic matters. The Under Secretary's principal responsibilities include: economic forecasting, consultation with the private sector on economic and broad economic sectoral developments, and policy analysis and development in the areas of economic policy. The Under Secretary oversees the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of th ...

and the

Bureau of Economic Analysis The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the United States Department of Commerce is a U.S. government agency that provides official macroeconomic and industry statistics, most notably reports about the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United ...

. These two statistical agencies gather, calculate, and disseminate much demographic, social and economic data including reports on the nation's gross domestic product, retail sales, personal income, housing starts, inventory levels and international trade. With the rank of ''Under Secretary'', the USC(EA) is a Level III position within the

Executive Schedule Executive Schedule () is the system of salaries given to the highest-ranked appointed officials in the executive branch of the U.S. government. The president of the United States appoints individuals to these positions, most with the advice and co ...

. Since January 2010, the annual rate of pay for Level III is $165,300.

History

The position was created by an Act of

Congress A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of ...

on June 16, 1982. The Under Secretary for Economic Affairs is fourth in the line of succession for Secretary of Commerce.

List of officeholders

Reporting Officials

Officials reporting to the USC(EA) include: *Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs *Chief Economist **Director,

Bureau of the Census The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

**Director,

*Associate Under Secretary of Commerce for Management *Associate Under Secretary of Commerce for Communications

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Under Secretary Of Commerce For Economic Affairs