; and (2) consult with appropriate offices within the Department for guidance with respect to established practices, policies, and procedures of the Department, including ethics and security regulations and procedures. (b) Extraordinary circumstances If a Special Counsel appointed under this chapter determines that the extraordinary circumstances of any particular decision would render compliance with required review and approval procedures by the designated departmental component inappropriate, the Special Counsel may consult directly with the Attorney General. (c) Limitation on supervision (1) In general A Special Counsel appointed under this chapter shall not be subject to the day-to-day supervision of any official of the Department, except that the Attorney General may request that the Special Counsel provide an explanation for any investigative or prosecutorial step, and may after review conclude that the action is so inappropriate or unwarranted under established practices of the Department that it should not be pursued. (2) Review In conducting a review described in paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall give great weight to the views of the Special Counsel. If the Attorney General concludes that a proposed action by a Special Counsel should not be pursued, the Attorney General shall notify Congress in accordance with section 599K–10(a)(3). (d) Disciplinary action for misconduct A Special Counsel appointed under this chapter, and any staff of the Special Counsel, shall be subject to disciplinary action for misconduct and breach of ethical duties under the same standards and to the same extent as are other employees of the Department. Inquiries into such matters shall be handled through the appropriate office of the Department upon the approval of the Attorney General. 599K–8. Limitation on removal of Special Counsel and certain other officials (a) In general A Special Counsel appointed under this chapter, or any other official appointed by the Attorney General who exercises a similar degree of