Biden delegates State Department authority for FY2023 defense-law reports to Congress

President Joe Biden issued a January 17, 2025 memorandum delegating authority to the secretary of state to submit reports to Congress required by sections 5562(a)(2) and 5562(a)(3) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. The delegation applied after consultation with relevant departments and agencies and also covered future laws with the same or substantially similar reporting requirements. The action mattered because it showed how presidents often delegate statutory reporting duties to cabinet officials, turning congressional oversight mandates into agency-managed reporting processes.