E.O.13614
Providing an Order of Succession Within the Environmental Protection Agency
·Barack Obama·77 FR 31157
E.O.13613
Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Commerce
·Barack Obama·77 FR 31155
Sets the order in which officials of the Department of Commerce act as Secretary if the Secretary dies, resigns, or becomes unable to serve. The line of succession runs through the Deputy Secretary, General Counsel, several Under Secretaries (for International Trade, Economic Affairs, Standards and Technology, Oceans and Atmosphere, and Export Administration), the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, and finally the Boulder Laboratories Site Manager at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Officials serving in one of these roles only in an acting capacity cannot become acting Secretary under this order, and no one may serve unless otherwise eligible under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. The President retains discretion to depart from this order when naming an acting Secretary. It revokes a prior 2001 executive order and a 2002 memorandum that had addressed the same succession issue, and states that it creates no enforceable legal rights.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13612
Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Agriculture
·Barack Obama·77 FR 31153
Establishes an order of succession within the Department of Agriculture, listing the sequence of officials—including various Under Secretaries, the Assistant Secretary for Administration, the General Counsel, the Chief of Staff, certain regional Farm Service Agency and Food and Nutrition Service officials, the Chief Financial Officer, and other Assistant Secretaries—who would act as Secretary of Agriculture if both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary are unable to serve. It specifies that officials serving in an acting capacity in these roles cannot themselves become acting Secretary under this order, and that anyone acting as Secretary must otherwise qualify under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. The President retains discretion to depart from this order when naming an acting Secretary. It revokes the prior succession order, Executive Order 13542 of May 13, 2010, and states that it creates no enforceable legal rights for any party.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13611
Blocking Property of Persons Threatening the Peace, Security, or Stability of Yemen
·Barack Obama·77 FR 29533
Declares a national emergency over actions that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, including obstruction of the November 23, 2011 political transition agreement or Yemen's broader political process. Blocks all property and interests in property within the United States or held by U.S. persons belonging to individuals or entities the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, determines to have engaged in such destabilizing acts, to be political or military leaders of groups doing so, to have provided material support to such acts or persons, or to be owned or controlled by such persons. Prohibits donations, contributions, or transactions benefiting blocked persons, as well as any attempt to evade these restrictions. Exempts official U.S. government business and allows exceptions through licenses or regulations. Directs the Treasury Secretary to issue implementing regulations and report periodically to Congress, and states that affected persons need not receive prior notice before being listed.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13610
Identifying and Reducing Regulatory Burdens
·Barack Obama·77 FR 28469
Builds on Executive Order 13563 by directing federal agencies to strengthen their retrospective reviews of existing significant regulations. Agencies must regularly invite public suggestions, including from state, local, and tribal governments, about regulations that could be modified, streamlined, or repealed, and must release retrospective analyses and supporting data online where practicable. Agencies are told to prioritize reforms that produce significant, quantifiable savings or paperwork reductions while still protecting public health, safety, and the environment, with special attention to easing burdens on small businesses and addressing the cumulative effect of their own rules. Agencies must submit draft progress reports to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs by September 10, 2012, and on the second Monday of January and July each year after, then make final reports public within three weeks. The order applies to federal agencies generally, excluding independent regulatory agencies, and states it creates no enforceable legal rights.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13609
Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation
·Barack Obama·77 FR 26413
Directs federal agencies to promote international regulatory cooperation consistent with Executive Orders 12866 and 13563. Tasks the Regulatory Working Group, chaired by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, with coordinating agency positions on international regulatory cooperation, examining strategies for engaging in joint regulatory development, and issuing guidelines for implementing the order. Requires agencies to summarize international regulatory cooperation activities in their Regulatory Plans, flag significant regulations with international impacts on federal regulatory websites, consider addressing unnecessary differences with trading partners' rules during retrospective reviews, and take into account foreign regulatory approaches agreed to under cooperation council work plans. Encourages, but does not require, independent regulatory agencies to comply. States it does not alter existing agency authority, trade policy processes, international agreement procedures, financial regulation laws, or the Office of Management and Budget's budgetary functions, and creates no enforceable legal rights.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13608
Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria
·Barack Obama·77 FR 26409
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to impose sanctions on foreign persons found to have violated U.S. sanctions related to Iran or Syria, facilitated deceptive transactions on behalf of sanctioned parties, or acted on behalf of such violators. These sanctions can block all U.S.-related transactions and dealings involving the designated person, including trade in goods, services, or technology, and prohibit donations or financial contributions to or from them. The order also suspends entry into the United States of such individuals as immigrants or nonimmigrants, treating them under an existing travel-ban proclamation. It bars transactions that evade these prohibitions, exempts official U.S. government business, defines key terms like 'deceptive transaction' and 'person subject to United States sanctions,' and states that no prior notice is required before sanctions are imposed due to the risk of asset transfers. Treasury is authorized to issue implementing regulations, and the order clarifies it creates no enforceable legal rights for private parties.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13607
Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members
·Barack Obama·77 FR 25861
Directs the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Education to jointly establish "Principles of Excellence" for schools that receive funding through federal military and veterans education benefit programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Tuition Assistance Program. The principles are meant to require participating institutions to give prospective students standardized cost and outcome information before enrollment, steer students toward federal aid before private loans, stop aggressive or misleading recruiting, obtain accreditor approval for new programs, accommodate service-related absences, follow federal refund rules, provide individualized education plans, and designate advising contacts. Within 90 days, the relevant secretaries, along with the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection director and the Attorney General, must report progress and submit a plan to strengthen complaint handling, oversight, campus recruiting access rules, and referrals for civil or criminal enforcement, and to consider trademark protection for terms like "GI Bill." Implementation depends on existing legal authority and available funding, and the order creates no enforceable legal rights.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13606
Blocking the Property and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Certain Persons With Respect to Grave Human Rights Abuses by the Governments of Iran and Syria via Information Technology
·Barack Obama·77 FR 24571
Blocks the U.S. property and financial assets of persons listed in an annex, and of any additional persons the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, determines have operated or provided technology used by the governments of Iran or Syria to disrupt, monitor, or track communications in ways enabling serious human rights abuses, or who have materially supported such activity or such blocked persons. Prohibits donations, contributions, or transactions benefiting these persons, and bars any transaction that evades these prohibitions. Suspends U.S. entry, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, for anyone meeting these criteria, treating them under an existing travel-ban proclamation. Exempts official U.S. government business. Authorizes the Treasury Department to issue regulations, redelegate authority, and remove persons from the blocked list if circumstances change. States that affected persons need not receive prior notice before being listed, and that measures regarding Iran respond only to actions occurring after the 1981 Algiers Accords. Takes effect April 23, 2012.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13605
Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources
·Barack Obama·77 FR 23107
Establishes an Interagency Working Group to Support Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources, chaired by the Director of the Domestic Policy Council. The group includes deputy-level representatives from the Departments of Defense, the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Energy, and Homeland Security, along with the Environmental Protection Agency, Council on Environmental Quality, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Office of Management and Budget, National Economic Council, and any other agencies the chair invites. It directs the group to coordinate federal agency policy on natural gas development, share scientific and technical information among agencies, plan long-term research and infrastructure development, and communicate with outside stakeholders. The order states it must be implemented consistent with existing law and available funding, does not alter any agency's existing legal authority or the budgetary role of the Office of Management and Budget, and creates no enforceable legal rights.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13604
Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects
·Barack Obama·77 FR 18887
Establishes a Steering Committee on Federal Infrastructure Permitting and Review Process Improvement, chaired by the Chief Performance Officer with the Council on Environmental Quality, to speed up federal permitting and review of infrastructure projects such as transportation, ports, water resources, energy, transmission, broadband, and pipelines. Member agencies, including Defense, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Transportation, Energy, Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the Army, must identify significant projects for tracking on an online Federal Infrastructure Projects Dashboard by April 30, 2012. The Steering Committee must develop a Federal Permitting and Review Performance Plan by May 31, 2012, and each agency must submit its own plan by June 30, 2012, publish it by July 31, 2012, and report progress every six months starting December 31, 2012. The Chief Performance Officer must issue implementation guidance, track performance metrics, and report annually to the President starting January 31, 2013. Neither the committee nor the officer may direct decisions on specific permits or projects.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13603
National Defense Resources Preparedness
·Barack Obama·77 FR 16651
Implements the Defense Production Act of 1950 by delegating presidential authorities among federal agencies to prepare the nation's industrial and technological base for national defense needs. It assigns specific agencies to prioritize and allocate resources in their sectors—such as the Secretary of Agriculture for food, Energy for energy, Health and Human Services for health resources, Transportation for civil transportation, Defense for water, and Commerce for other materials—and authorizes loans, loan guarantees, subsidies, and incentives to expand industrial capacity. It establishes a National Defense Executive Reserve of private-sector experts available for government service during emergencies, sets labor-related responsibilities for the Secretary of Labor, and creates a Defense Production Act Committee of numerous agency heads to advise the President and report to Congress annually. It also defines key terms used throughout, revokes Executive Order 12919 and parts of Executive Order 12656, and preserves other prior orders and authorities not inconsistent with this one. The order contains additional administrative and procedural provisions.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13602
Establishing a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities
·Barack Obama·77 FR 16131
Establishes a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities, housed within the Department of Housing and Urban Development and co-chaired by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. Includes as members numerous cabinet secretaries and heads of agencies such as Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security, along with other senior officials. Directs the Council to coordinate federal efforts under the existing Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative, helping local communities access technical assistance and planning resources, incorporate related goals into agency performance plans, recommend policy changes to the President, and encourage coordinated financing and planning tools. Requires the Council to conduct outreach to nonprofits, businesses, labor groups, state and local governments, and other stakeholders, and to hold an annual meeting to share progress. Requires the Council's Executive Director to report to the Co-Chairs within one year and annually thereafter on its work and achievements.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13601
Establishment of the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center
·Barack Obama·77 FR 12981
Establishes an Interagency Trade Enforcement Center within the Office of the United States Trade Representative to coordinate enforcement of U.S. trade rights under international trade agreements and enforcement of domestic trade laws. The Center works with the Departments of State, Treasury, Justice, Agriculture, Commerce, and Homeland Security, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and other agencies the President or the Trade Representative may designate. It is led by a Director from the Trade Representative's office, a Deputy Director detailed from the Department of Commerce, and an Intelligence Community Liaison. The Center is to serve as the main forum for coordinating trade enforcement, exchange information on potential violations of trade agreements by foreign partners, and conduct outreach to U.S. workers and businesses. Funding and administrative support come from the Office of the United States Trade Representative, subject to available appropriations, and the order defines relevant terms such as 'U.S. trade rights' and 'domestic trade laws.'Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13600
Establishing the President's Global Development Council
·Barack Obama·77 FR 8713
Establishes the President's Global Development Council, housed administratively within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to advise the President on development policy as part of national security and foreign policy strategy. The Council includes up to 12 outside appointees representing academia, nonprofits, civil society, and private industry, plus non-voting officials from the State Department, Treasury, Defense Department, USAID, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The President designates a Chair and Vice Chair. The Council is directed to advise on effective development approaches, support public-private partnerships, and gather public input on development issues. USAID provides funding and administrative support, including an Executive Director appointed by its Administrator. Outside members serve unpaid but may receive travel expenses. The order specifies that agency heads must assist the Council as needed, and states the Council will terminate two years after the order's signing unless the President renews it.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13599
Blocking Property of the Government of Iran and Iranian Financial Institutions
·Barack Obama·77 FR 6659
Invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and other authorities, and building on the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12957, this order blocks all property and interests in property of the Government of Iran, including the Central Bank of Iran, and of any Iranian financial institution, if such property is in the United States or comes under the control of a U.S. person, including foreign branches. It also blocks property of anyone determined by the Treasury Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to be owned, controlled by, or acting on behalf of such blocked parties. It prohibits donations, contributions, and transactions benefiting blocked persons, bars evasion or conspiracy to violate the order, and exempts official U.S. government business. It waives advance notice to affected parties, authorizes the Treasury and State Departments to issue implementing regulations and exercise related statutory authorities, and states the measures respond to Iranian actions occurring after the 1981 Algiers Accords. It took effect February 6, 2012.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13598
Assignment of Functions Relating to Certain Promotion and Appointment Actions in the Armed Forces
·Barack Obama·77 FR 5371
Assigns the Secretary of Defense to perform certain presidential functions under title 10 of the United States Code related to military promotions and appointments. This includes reviewing reports on promotions to brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half) and above, extending officer promotion eligibility periods, and appointing members of the Marine Band and Marine Drum and Bugle Corps to grades up to captain. The Secretary may reassign the reporting and eligibility-extension functions only to Senate-confirmed civilian officers within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, but may not reassign the authority over Marine Band and Drum and Bugle Corps appointments. The order states it does not limit the President's constitutional authority as Commander in Chief or over appointments, and it creates no enforceable legal rights for any outside party.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13597
Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and the Task Force On Travel and Competitiveness
·Barack Obama·77 FR 3373
Directs federal agencies to improve visa processing and foreign visitor travel to the United States while maintaining national security. Requires the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, within 60 days, to develop an implementation plan to increase nonimmigrant visa processing capacity in China and Brazil by 40 percent, ensure 80 percent of visa applicants are interviewed within three weeks, expand the Visa Waiver Program, and expand expedited-travel programs like Global Entry, with progress reports due within 180 days. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to maintain a public website tracking travel industry metrics. Establishes a Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness, co-chaired by the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior with representatives from multiple agencies, to develop a National Travel and Tourism Strategy within 90 days aimed at increasing the U.S. share of worldwide travel, including from Brazil, China, and India, promoting visits to public lands and rural communities, and coordinating with Brand USA and the Tourism Policy Council.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13596
Amendments to Executive Orders 12131 and 13539
·Barack Obama·76 FR 80725
Amends Executive Order 12131 to revise the membership list of the President's Export Council, specifying the executive departments, agencies, and offices (including State, Treasury, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Energy, Transportation, Homeland Security, the Trade Representative's office, and several other bodies) whose heads or representatives serve on it, along with representatives of the National Governors Association and U.S. Conference of Mayors, ten members of Congress, and up to 28 presidentially appointed citizens from business, agriculture, and labor. Also amends Executive Order 13539 to shift responsibility for funding and administrative support of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, and for performing certain functions under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, from a prior designated official to the Secretary of Energy.Read the full summaryShow less
E.O.13595
Instituting a National Action Plan On Women, Peace, And Security
·Barack Obama·76 FR 80205