Establishment of the White House Rural Council

Executive Order 13575 of June 9, 2011

Establishment of the White House Rural Council

By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America and in order to enhance Federal engagement with
rural communities, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Sixteen percent of the American
population lives in rural counties. Strong, sustainable
rural communities are essential to winning the future
and ensuring American competitiveness in the years
ahead. These communities supply our food, fiber, and
energy, safeguard our natural resources, and are
essential in the development of science and innovation.
Though rural communities face numerous challenges, they
also present enormous economic potential. The Federal
Government has an important role to play in order to
expand access to the capital necessary for economic
growth, promote innovation, improve access to health
care and education, and expand outdoor recreational
activities on public lands.

To enhance the Federal Government's efforts to address
the needs of rural America, this order establishes a
council to better coordinate Federal programs and
maximize the impact of Federal investment to promote
economic prosperity and quality of life in our rural
communities.

Sec. 2. Establishment. There is established a White
House Rural Council (Council).

Sec. 3. Membership. (a) The Secretary of Agriculture
shall serve as the Chair of the Council, which shall
also include the heads of the following executive
branch departments, agencies, and offices:

(1) the Department of the Treasury;

(2) the Department of Defense;

(3) the Department of Justice;

(4) the Department of the Interior;

(5) the Department of Commerce;

(6) the Department of Labor;

(7) the Department of Health and Human Services;

(8) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(9) the Department of Transportation;

(10) the Department of Energy;

(11) the Department of Education;

(12) the Department of Veterans Affairs;

(13) the Department of Homeland Security;

(14) the Environmental Protection Agency;

(15) the Federal Communications Commission;

(16) the Office of Management and Budget;

(17) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;

(18) the Office of National Drug Control Policy;

(19) the Council of Economic Advisers;

(20) the Domestic Policy Council;

(21) the National Economic Council;

(22) the Small Business Administration;

(23) the Council on Environmental Quality;

(24) the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental
Affairs;

(25) the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs; and such other executive
branch departments, agencies, and offices as the President or the Secretary
of Agriculture may, from time to time, designate.

    (b) A member of the Council may designate, to
perform the Council functions of the member, a senior-
level official who is part of the member's department,
agency, or office, and who is a full-time officer or
employee of the Federal Government.
    (c) The Department of Agriculture shall provide
funding and administrative support for the Council to
the extent permitted by law and within existing
appropriations.
    (d) The Council shall coordinate its policy
development through the Domestic Policy Council and the
National Economic Council.

Sec. 4. Mission and Function of the Council. The
Council shall work across executive departments,
agencies, and offices to coordinate development of
policy recommendations to promote economic prosperity
and quality of life in rural America, and shall
coordinate my Administration's engagement with rural
communities. The Council shall:

    (a) make recommendations to the President, through
the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the
Director of the National Economic Council, on
streamlining and leveraging Federal investments in
rural areas, where appropriate, to increase the impact
of Federal dollars and create economic opportunities to
improve the quality of life in rural America;
    (b) coordinate and increase the effectiveness of
Federal engagement with rural stakeholders, including
agricultural organizations, small businesses, education
and training institutions, health-care providers,
telecommunications services providers, research and
land grant institutions, law enforcement, State, local,
and tribal governments, and nongovernmental
organizations regarding the needs of rural America;
    (c) coordinate Federal efforts directed toward the
growth and development of geographic regions that
encompass both urban and rural areas; and
    (d) identify and facilitate rural economic
opportunities associated with energy development,
outdoor recreation, and other conservation related
activities.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) The heads of executive
departments and agencies shall assist and provide
information to the Council, consistent with applicable
law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of
the Council. Each executive department and agency shall
bear its own expense for participating in the Council.

    (b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to
impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the
head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (c) This order shall be implemented consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of
appropriations.

    (d) This order is not intended to, and does not,
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or in equity by any party against
the United States, its departments, agencies, or
entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
other person.

    (Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    June 9, 2011.