Simple English definitions for legal terms
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The Secretary of State is a person who is in charge of the United States Department of State. This person is a member of the President's cabinet and is responsible for helping the President with foreign policy. They are also a member of the National Security Council. If something happens to the President, the Secretary of State is fourth in line to become the President. In some states, there is also a Secretary of State who is responsible for things like making sure businesses follow the rules and running elections.
A Secretary of State is a government official who holds a high-ranking position in the United States government or state government. There are two different types of Secretary of State:
The Secretary of State is a member of the President's cabinet and is responsible for leading the U.S. Department of State. This department is in charge of the country's foreign policy and international relations. The Secretary of State is the highest-ranking member of the cabinet and is also a member of the National Security Council. If the President and Vice President are unable to fulfill their duties, the Secretary of State is fourth in line to become the President.
Example: Antony Blinken is the current Secretary of State under President Joe Biden. He is responsible for representing the United States in foreign affairs and advising the President on matters of foreign policy.
The Secretary of State in state government is responsible for overseeing various administrative duties, such as licensing and incorporating businesses, administering elections, and maintaining official records. The specific duties of the Secretary of State may vary depending on the state.
Example: In California, the Secretary of State is responsible for maintaining the state's official records, administering elections, and overseeing the registration of businesses and nonprofits.
These examples illustrate the two different roles of the Secretary of State. In the United States government, the Secretary of State is responsible for foreign policy and international relations, while in state government, the Secretary of State is responsible for administrative duties such as business licensing and election administration.