Coordinating Policies on Automotive Communities and Workers

Executive Order 13578 of July 6, 2011

Coordinating Policies on Automotive Communities
and Workers

By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Over the last decade, the United
States has experienced a decline in employment in the
automotive industry and among part suppliers. This
decline accelerated dramatically from 2008 to 2009,
with more than 400,000 jobs being lost in the industry.
Now, 2 years later, the American automotive industry is
beginning to recover. The automotive industry has, over
the past 2 years, experienced its strongest period of
job growth since the late 1990s. Exports have expanded,
and the domestic automakers in 2010 gained market share
for the first time since 1995. The automotive supply
chain, which employs three times as many workers as the
automakers, has also shown renewed strength. However,
we still have a long way to go.

Over the past 2 years my Administration has undertaken
coordinated efforts on behalf of automotive
communities, including targeted technical and financial
assistance. For example, the Department of Labor set
aside funds for green jobs and job training for high-
growth sectors of the economy specifically targeted to
communities affected by the automotive downturn, and
the Department of Commerce provided funds specifically
for automotive communities to develop plans for
economic recovery. Stabilizing the automotive industry
will also require the use of expanded strategies by
automotive communities that include land-use
redevelopment, small business support, and worker
training.

The purpose of this order is to continue the
coordinated Federal response to factors affecting
automotive communities and workers and to ensure that
Federal programs and policies address these concerns.

Sec. 2. Assignment of Responsibilities to the Secretary
of Labor.

    (a) The Secretary of Labor shall:

(i) work to coordinate the development of policies and programs among
executive departments and agencies with the goal of coordinating a Federal
response to factors that have a distinct impact on automotive communities
and workers, including through the coordination of economic adjustment
assistance activities;

(ii) advise the President, in coordination with the Director of the
National Economic Council, on the potential effects of pending legislation;

(iii) provide recommendations to the President, in coordination with the
Director of the National Economic Council, on executive branch policy
proposals affecting automotive communities and changes to Federal policies
and programs intended to address issues of special importance to automotive
communities and workers; and

(iv) conduct outreach to representatives of nonprofit organizations,
businesses, labor organizations, State and local government agencies,
elected officials, and other interested persons that will assist in
bringing to the President's attention concerns, ideas, and policy options
for expanding and improving efforts to revitalize automotive communities.

    (b) The Secretary of Labor shall perform the
functions assigned by this order in coordination with
the Director of the National Economic Council.

 The Secretary of Labor may delegate these
responsibilities to the Executive Director of the
Department of Labor Office of Recovery for Auto
Communities and Workers.

Sec. 3. Revocation. Executive Order 13509 of June 23,
2009, is hereby revoked.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) The heads of executive
departments and agencies shall assist and provide
information to the Secretary of Labor or the
Secretary's designee, consistent with applicable law,
as may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities
assigned by this order.

    (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,

    July 6, 2011.