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US Commerce Dept to disappear after trade overhaul

Published January 13, 2012 Updated January 13, 2012 05:07pm

It would create a new yet-to-be-named department focused on exports, said Jeffrey Zients of the Office of Management and Budget.

Parts of the Commerce Department that are unrelated to trade and businesses, like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, would be moved to other government agencies, he told reporters.

The US Trade Representative would remain a cabinet-level position and the head of the Small Business Administration would also be made a cabinet post, Zients said.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the overhaul proposal would save money and should get bipartisan support in Congress.

Copyright Reuters, 2012