Office of Management and Budget
Orders where directed actors are tied to Office of Management and Budget · 142 in Obama · 589 all terms.
Roles directed
- Director of the Office of Management and Budget77
- Director of OMB26
- OMB Director15
- Chief Performance Officer6
- Director of Office of Management and Budget5
- Office of Management and Budget5
- Deputy Director for Management4
- Federal Chief Information Officer3
- Deputy Director for Management of OMB2
- Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs2
- OIRA Administrator2
- OMB Deputy Director for Management1
- Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget1
- Director1
- OMB1
- Federal Procurement Policy Administrator1
Orders
142 shown · Obama
Amending the Civil Service Rules, Executive Order 13488, and Executive Order 13467 To Modernize the Executive Branch-Wide Governance Structure and Processes for Security Clearances, Suitability and Fitness for Employment, and Credentialing, and Related Matters
This executive order restructures the federal government's security clearance, suitability, and credentialing systems by amending prior executive orders and Civil Service Rules. It establishes the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) as the primary investigative service provider, creates a Performance Accountability Council to drive enterprise-wide reform, and designates specific executive agents (OPM for suitability/credentialing, DNI for security) to standardize vetting processes across agencies with emphasis on reciprocity, continuous vetting, and information technology modernization.
Continuing To Expand Opportunity for All Young People
This memorandum amends a 2014 Obama-era initiative by renaming the 'My Brother's Keeper' program to the 'Task Force on Improving the Lives of Boys and Young Men of Color and Underserved Youth,' expanding its membership to include 23 specified agency heads and officials, adding reporting requirements including annual status reports and biennial reviews, and broadening the scope to explicitly include 'underserved youth' alongside boys and young men of color.
Establishing a Community Solutions Council
This executive order establishes a new Community Solutions Council to coordinate federal community investment programs across agencies, replacing two prior Obama-era councils. The Council is led by two Co-Chairs (one from the White House/OMB, one rotating among eight major agencies every four years) and includes 34+ members spanning nearly the entire Cabinet and key White House offices. It builds on existing place-based initiatives like Promise Zones and StrikeForce, with a mandate to foster interagency collaboration, scale evidence-based practices, and center locally led visions in federal policymaking.
Advancing the Global Health Security Agenda To Achieve a World Safe and Secure From Infectious Disease Threats
This executive order institutionalizes U.S. participation in the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), a multinational initiative to strengthen countries' abilities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. It creates a new interagency council chaired by National Security Council staff, assigns specific roles to 13 agencies, and mandates reporting and external evaluation requirements through 2019.
Advancing the Goals of the Power Africa Initiative to Expand Access to Electricity in Sub- Saharan Africa Through the Establishment of the President's Power Africa Working Group
This executive order establishes a formal interagency structure to advance the Power Africa initiative, which aims to double electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 through 30,000 MW of new capacity and 60 million new connections. It creates a Coordinator position at USAID and a Power Africa Working Group co-chaired by USAID and the NSC to coordinate across 13 federal agencies. The order also directs agencies to facilitate participation of African private sector companies in energy projects.
Delegation of Function to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management
This executive order delegates to the OPM Director the President's authority to direct OPM to establish emergency leave transfer programs for federal employees, requiring OMB consultation and presidential notification. It does not create any enforceable rights or benefits.
Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events
This executive order establishes a coordinated federal framework to prepare for and mitigate space weather events such as solar flares and geomagnetic disturbances that threaten critical infrastructure including GPS, satellites, aviation, and the electrical power grid. It assigns specific roles to multiple agencies, creates a new NSTC subcommittee for coordination, and mandates several plans and assessments within 60-180 days to enhance forecasting, infrastructure protection, and emergency response capabilities.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the National Security Workforce
This memorandum directs national security agencies to improve diversity and inclusion through data transparency, expanded demographic tracking, professional development programs, and leadership accountability measures. It requires annual public reporting on workforce demographics and inclusion metrics, with initial reports due within 90 days.
Amending Executive Order 13467 To Establish the Roles and Responsibilities of the National Background Investigations Bureau and Related Matters
This executive order establishes the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) within the Office of Personnel Management as the primary federal provider of personnel background investigations, while assigning the Department of Defense responsibility for designing, operating, and securing the underlying IT systems. It also mandates governance reforms to clarify executive authorities over security, suitability, and credentialing vetting processes.
A Comprehensive Approach to Atrocity Prevention and Response
This executive order institutionalizes the Atrocities Prevention Board (APB) originally established by Presidential Study Directive-10 in 2012, formalizing its structure, membership, and operational protocols across national security agencies. It mandates interagency coordination on monitoring, early warning, deterrence, and response to mass atrocities and genocide, with specific requirements for intelligence collection, civilian capacity deployment, training, and annual reporting to the President and public.
Facilitation of a Presidential Transition
This executive order establishes two coordinating bodies—the White House Transition Coordinating Council and the Agency Transition Directors Council—to improve planning and information sharing for presidential transitions. It mandates specific preparation activities including briefing materials, emergency exercises, and career employee readiness, with a hard deadline for agency materials before November 1 of election years.
Promoting Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
This memorandum establishes a Federal Interagency Reentry Council co-chaired by the Attorney General and the White House Domestic Policy Council Director to coordinate federal efforts reducing recidivism and removing barriers to employment, housing, and reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals. It directs agencies to review hiring and occupational licensing procedures to avoid automatic disqualification based on criminal records, and requires a federal strategic plan within 100 days.
Establishment of the Federal Privacy Council
This executive order establishes the Federal Privacy Council as the principal interagency forum to coordinate federal privacy practices, and requires OMB to issue revised policy on Senior Agency Officials for Privacy within 120 days. It mandates designation of privacy officials across 24 major agencies and promotes sharing of best practices, workforce training, and coordination with existing interagency councils.
Establishing a Federal Earthquake Risk Management Standard
This executive order establishes earthquake-resistant design and construction standards for federal buildings, replacing two prior orders from 1990 and 1994. It mandates that federal agencies comply with the 2015 International Building Code or equivalent standards for new construction, adopt seismic safety standards for existing buildings, and designate coordinators to oversee implementation.
White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force
This memorandum establishes the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force, chaired by the Vice President, to coordinate federal efforts to accelerate cancer research, treatment, and prevention. The Task Force includes heads of 14 executive departments and agencies and is directed to produce findings and recommendations on accelerating research, improving patient care, reducing regulatory barriers, and developing public-private partnerships, with a report due to the President by December 31, 2016.
Strengthening the Senior Executive Service
This executive order reforms the Senior Executive Service (SES) by creating a PMC Subcommittee to oversee changes including: capping performance award spending at 7.5%, streamlining hiring processes, requiring SES pay to exceed subordinate GS employees, establishing a 15% rotation goal for SES members, and phasing in talent management and succession planning across all agencies by FY 2018.
Using Behavioral Science Insights To Better Serve the American People
This executive order directs federal agencies to incorporate behavioral science insights—such as automatic enrollment, simplified forms, and improved information presentation—into policy design to improve program outcomes and cost-effectiveness. It establishes the Social and Behavioral Sciences Team (SBST) under the National Science and Technology Council to provide guidance and requires annual implementation reports through 2019.
Implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States for 2015-2020
This executive order implements the updated 2015-2020 National HIV/AIDS Strategy, directing federal agencies to develop action plans, coordinate efforts, and report progress on reducing HIV infections, improving care access, and addressing disparities. It establishes a Federal Interagency Working Group and assigns specific responsibilities to lead agencies including HHS, Defense, Justice, and others.
Creating a National Strategic Computing Initiative
This executive order establishes the National Strategic Computing Initiative (NSCI), a coordinated federal strategy to advance U.S. leadership in high-performance computing (HPC) through 2030. It designates lead agencies (DOE, DOD, NSF), foundational R&D agencies (IARPA, NIST), and deployment agencies to pursue exascale computing, post-semiconductor technologies, and public-private collaboration in HPC research and deployment.
Delegation of Certain Authorities and Assignment of Certain Functions Under the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
This executive order delegates presidential authorities and assigns functions under the 2015 Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) law to specific officials, primarily the U.S. Trade Representative, while reserving certain authorities to the President. It establishes interagency processes for environmental reviews, employment impact assessments, labor rights reports, and implementation planning for trade agreements.
Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade
This executive order establishes comprehensive federal sustainability goals for 2015-2025, requiring agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent, increase renewable energy use, improve water and fleet efficiency, and adopt sustainable procurement practices. It creates new oversight structures including Chief Sustainability Officers at each agency and a Federal Interagency Sustainability Steering Committee.
Student Aid Bill of Rights To Help Ensure Affordable Loan Repayment
This memorandum directs multiple federal agencies to implement stronger consumer protections for the more than 40 million Americans with student loan debt. It establishes deadlines for creating a complaint system, improving loan servicing standards, protecting distressed borrowers including those with disabilities, and exploring regulatory changes to bankruptcy and consumer protection laws.
Establishment of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center
This memorandum directs the Director of National Intelligence to establish the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC), a new intelligence organization to coordinate analysis and sharing of foreign cyber threat intelligence across federal agencies. The CTIIC is tasked with integrating all-source analysis, supporting existing cyber centers, developing intelligence sharing capabilities, and coordinating interagency responses to foreign cyber threats, with a goal of reaching full operating capability by the end of fiscal year 2016.
Promoting Private Sector Cybersecurity Information Sharing
This executive order encourages voluntary formation of Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations (ISAOs) to enable private sector cybersecurity information sharing with the federal government. It establishes a standards-setting process for ISAOs, designates DHS's NCCIC as a critical infrastructure protection program, and amends the National Industrial Security Program to facilitate classified information sharing with private sector partners under voluntary agreements.
Sequestration Order for Fiscal Year 2016 Pursuant to Section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as Amended
This order triggers automatic spending cuts (sequestration) for fiscal year 2016, requiring direct spending reductions in non-exempt budget accounts effective October 1, 2015, based on OMB calculations. The reductions follow statutory formulas from the 2011 debt ceiling deal.
Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input
This executive order establishes a new Federal Flood Risk Management Standard requiring federally funded projects to build above current base flood levels using climate-informed science, freeboard elevations, or 0.2% annual chance flood data. It amends Executive Order 11988 and mandates stakeholder consultation before implementation, with agencies required to submit implementation plans after public comment closes.
Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the Arctic
This executive order establishes an Arctic Executive Steering Committee to coordinate federal Arctic policy across agencies during the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council. It mandates improved interagency coordination, tribal consultation with Alaska Native governments, and a report identifying overlaps and gaps in Arctic policy implementation.
Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition
This executive order creates an interagency working group to review and standardize federal programs that provide military-style equipment to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The group must develop recommendations for controlled equipment lists, training requirements, civil rights compliance, and oversight mechanisms, with initial reports due in 60 days and final recommendations in 120 days.
Modernizing Federal Leave Policies for Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care To Recruit and Retain Talent and Improve Productivity
This memorandum directs federal agencies to modernize leave policies for childbirth, adoption, and foster care by providing up to 240 hours of advanced sick leave and maximum permitted advanced annual leave, ensuring employees are aware of all available benefits, and expanding workplace flexibilities. It requires OPM to issue guidance within 90 days and agencies to implement changes by January 1, 2016, aiming to improve federal workforce recruitment, retention, and productivity.
Amendments to Executive Orders 11030, 13653, and 13673
This executive order makes three technical amendments to existing orders: (1) updates formatting rules for executive orders and proclamations and assigns trade proclamation preparation to the U.S. Trade Representative; (2) adjusts membership of the Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience by making the OMB Director a co-chair rather than a member; and (3) corrects a statutory citation in the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces order regarding Vietnam Era veterans' assistance acts.
Creating Welcoming Communities and Fully Integrating Immigrants and Refugees
This memorandum establishes the White House Task Force on New Americans, co-chaired by the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to develop a coordinated federal strategy for integrating immigrants and refugees into American communities. The Task Force must submit an Integration Plan within 120 days and a status report within one year, with responsibilities including reviewing agency policies, disseminating best practices, and measuring equitable access to services.
Modernizing and Streamlining the U.S. Immigrant Visa System for the 21st Century
This November 2014 presidential memorandum directs the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to develop, within 120 days, recommendations for modernizing and streamlining the U.S. legal immigration and visa system. The recommendations must address reducing government costs, improving applicant services, reducing employer burdens, ensuring full use of congressionally authorized visa numbers, and modernizing IT infrastructure, with input from diverse stakeholders.
Improving the Security of Consumer Financial Transactions
This executive order mandates federal agencies adopt chip-and-PIN technology for government payment cards and terminals by early 2015, streamlines identity theft victim remediation through a centralized FTC website, and requires multi-factor authentication for federal digital services within 18 months.
Climate-Resilient International Development
This executive order requires federal agencies with international development programs to systematically integrate climate-resilience considerations into their strategies, planning, and funding decisions. It establishes a Working Group co-chaired by Treasury and USAID to develop guidelines, tools, and metrics, while also directing agencies to promote similar practices in multilateral development institutions.
Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
This executive order establishes a government-wide framework to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by creating an interagency task force, a presidential advisory council, and mandating specific actions including antibiotic stewardship programs in healthcare facilities, strengthened surveillance systems, promotion of new drug development, and international cooperation. It sets concrete deadlines for a national action plan and regulatory reviews to address what the CDC identified as at least 23,000 annual U.S. deaths from resistant infections.
Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces
This executive order requires federal contractors and subcontractors with contracts over $500,000 to disclose labor law violations from the past three years during bidding and every six months during performance. It mandates paycheck transparency for workers and restricts mandatory pre-dispute arbitration for certain discrimination and sexual assault/harassment claims on contracts over $1 million. The order creates Labor Compliance Advisor positions at each agency and directs regulatory amendments to implement these requirements.
Creating a Federal Strategy To Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators
This memorandum establishes the Pollinator Health Task Force co-chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and EPA Administrator, directing federal agencies to develop a National Pollinator Health Strategy within 180 days and take immediate steps to expand pollinator habitat on federal lands, revise landscaping guidance, assess pesticide impacts, and increase conservation program acreage for pollinators.
Sequestration Order for Fiscal Year 2015 Pursuant To Section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as Amended
This order triggers automatic spending cuts (sequestration) for fiscal year 2015, requiring direct spending reductions in non-exempt budget accounts effective October 1, 2014, based on calculations from an OMB report to Congress. The cuts are mandated by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act and implemented according to OMB specifications.
Creating and Expanding Ladders of Opportunity for Boys and Young Men of Color
President Obama established the My Brother's Keeper Task Force, an interagency initiative chaired by the Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary with the Deputy Secretary of Education as Executive Director, to improve life outcomes for boys and young men of color through better coordination of federal programs, data sharing, and public-private partnerships. The Task Force is directed to create assessment tools, evaluate federal policy impacts, and report back with recommendations within 90 days and a status report within one year.
Streamlining the Export/Import Process for America's Businesses
This executive order directs federal agencies to modernize U.S. trade processing by completing the International Trade Data System (ITDS)—a "single window" for electronic submission of import/export data—by December 31, 2016. It establishes the Border Interagency Executive Council (BIEC) to coordinate cross-agency border management, streamline regulatory requirements, and improve supply chain efficiency while maintaining security and public health protections.
Establishing a Quadrennial Energy Review
This memorandum establishes a Quadrennial Energy Review Task Force co-chaired by the OSTP and Domestic Policy Council directors to produce a comprehensive energy policy review every four years, with the first report due January 31, 2015 focusing on U.S. energy infrastructure challenges. The Task Force includes representatives from 23 agencies and is directed to engage stakeholders and recommend executive and legislative actions.
Federal Leadership on Energy Management
This memorandum directs federal agencies to obtain 20% of their electricity from renewable sources by fiscal year 2020, with interim targets starting at 10% in 2015. It also mandates improved building energy management through metering, benchmarking via EPA's Energy Star Portfolio Manager, and adoption of the Green Button data access system, with multiple deadlines for implementation guidance.
Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change
This executive order directs federal agencies to integrate climate change preparedness and resilience into their operations, programs, and investments. It establishes a new interagency Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, creates a State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force, mandates updated Agency Adaptation Plans, and requires modernization of federal programs to remove barriers to climate-resilient investment.
Accelerating Improvements in HIV Prevention and Care in the United States Through the HIV Care Continuum Initiative
This executive order establishes the HIV Care Continuum Initiative and a supporting interagency Working Group to coordinate federal efforts to improve HIV testing, linkage to care, treatment, and viral suppression. It directs agencies to prioritize addressing gaps along the HIV care continuum and requires recommendations within 180 days, with annual progress reports thereafter.
Combating Wildlife Trafficking
This executive order establishes a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking co-chaired by the State Department, Interior Department, and Attorney General to develop a national strategy against wildlife trafficking. It also creates an Advisory Council of non-governmental experts to advise the Task Force, with specific deadlines for initial meetings, strategy production, and council establishment.
Establishing the White House Council on Native American Affairs
This executive order creates the White House Council on Native American Affairs, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, to coordinate federal policy across 30+ agencies to support tribal self-governance and improve quality of life for Native Americans. It establishes a formal structure for interagency coordination on economic development, healthcare, education, justice, and environmental protection while mandating three annual meetings.
Expanding America's Leadership in Wireless Innovation
This 2013 memorandum directs federal agencies to accelerate shared access to spectrum bands below 6 GHz, creating a Spectrum Policy Team to oversee implementation. It mandates multiple reports and plans on spectrum sharing technologies, federal test facility access, agency spectrum usage assessments, and procurement efficiency guidelines, while encouraging the FCC to expedite commercial broadband deployment and develop receiver performance standards.
Transforming Our Nation's Electric Grid Through Improved Siting, Permitting, and Review
This 2013 memorandum directs federal agencies to modernize the electric transmission grid by improving siting, permitting, and review processes for energy corridors on federal lands. It establishes specific deadlines for studies, assessments, and implementation plans to expedite renewable energy transmission while minimizing environmental and cultural impacts.
Modernizing Federal Infrastructure Review and Permitting Regulations, Policies, and Procedures
This memorandum directs federal agencies to modernize infrastructure permitting and review regulations to cut aggregate timelines for major projects in half while improving environmental and community outcomes. It mandates a 60-day prioritization effort and 120-day comprehensive modernization plan by an interagency steering committee, building on Executive Order 13604 reforms.
Making Open and Machine Readable the New Default for Government Information
This executive order establishes open and machine-readable formats as the default for new and modernized government information. It directs OMB to issue an Open Data Policy and sets specific deadlines for creating implementation tools, integrating open data into federal procurement and grants, and establishing performance tracking mechanisms across agencies.
Sequestration Order for Fiscal Year 2014 Pursuant to Section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as Amended
This presidential order mandates automatic spending cuts (sequestration) for fiscal year 2014, requiring that on October 1, 2013, direct spending budgetary resources in non-exempt accounts be reduced by amounts calculated by OMB in its April 10, 2013 report to Congress. The order implements statutory requirements under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act without discretionary policy choices.
Administration of Reformed Export Controls
This executive order delegates specific functions under the Arms Export Control Act to the Secretaries of State and Defense, revokes the previous 1977 executive order on export controls, and amends Executive Order 13222 to establish congressional notification procedures for certain firearms and Major Defense Equipment exports under Commerce jurisdiction, while also authorizing the Secretary of State to license Commerce-controlled exports when agreed with the Secretary of Commerce.
Sequestration Order for Fiscal Year 2013 Pursuant to Section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as Amended
This presidential order triggers automatic across-the-board federal spending cuts (sequestration) for fiscal year 2013, mandating reductions in non-exempt budget accounts as calculated by OMB. The order implements congressionally mandated cuts under the 2011 debt ceiling agreement when deficit reduction targets were not met by the Super Committee.
Improving Availability of Relevant Executive Branch Records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
This memorandum directs federal agencies to improve sharing of relevant records with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms. It establishes deadlines for DOJ guidance, agency reporting, and creates a working group to coordinate implementation of the 2007 NICS Improvement Amendments Act.
Establishing the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force
This executive order establishes a cabinet-level task force chaired by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate long-term rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Sandy. The task force is required to produce a comprehensive rebuilding strategy within 180 days of its first meeting, after which it will terminate 60 days later.
Establishment of an Interagency Task Force on Commercial Advocacy
This executive order creates an Interagency Task Force on Commercial Advocacy, chaired by the Secretary of Commerce, to coordinate federal support for U.S. businesses competing for international contracts against foreign firms. The Task Force brings together 15 agencies to prioritize advocacy cases, coordinate senior-level engagement with foreign officials, raise business awareness of available services, and report progress every 180 days.
Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts
This executive order strengthens anti-trafficking rules for federal contractors and subcontractors by amending procurement regulations. It prohibits specific trafficking-related activities like fraudulent recruitment, charging recruitment fees, and confiscating identity documents; requires compliance plans for large overseas contracts; and mandates training and interagency coordination to enforce zero-tolerance policies.
Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families
This executive order directs multiple federal agencies to expand mental health services for veterans, service members, and military families through suicide prevention programs, community provider partnerships, increased staffing, and a national research action plan on PTSD and traumatic brain injury. It establishes an interagency task force to coordinate implementation and requires specific deliverables including expanded crisis line capacity, pilot projects with community providers, and hiring of 800 peer counselors and 1,600 mental health professionals.
Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women and Girls Globally
This executive order establishes a multi-year U.S. government strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence globally, creating an Interagency Working Group co-chaired by the Secretary of State and USAID Administrator. It mandates coordination across multiple federal agencies, integration of anti-violence programming into existing foreign policy and assistance efforts, improved data collection and research, and periodic reporting with benchmarks, progress reports, and eventual strategy revision.
Ensuring the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Protections
This memorandum directs federal agencies to strengthen compliance with USERRA, which protects service members from employment discrimination and ensures their reemployment rights. It establishes an interagency working group, mandates new guidance on data collection and best practices, and sets specific deadlines for reporting and implementation.
Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions
This executive order establishes a comprehensive framework for national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) communications, creating an interagency Executive Committee co-chaired by Defense and Homeland Security to coordinate survivable, resilient federal communications under all circumstances. It assigns specific responsibilities across multiple departments, revokes the prior Executive Order 12472 (1984), and mandates a 60-day organizational plan from Homeland Security.
Accelerating Broadband Infrastructure Deployment
This executive order establishes a federal working group and mandates coordinated procedures to accelerate broadband infrastructure deployment on federal lands, buildings, and rights of way, with special attention to tribal lands and underserved communities. It requires agencies to develop uniform contract templates, improve permitting efficiency, and implement 'dig once' policies for highway construction projects.
Building a 21st Century Digital Government
This memorandum directs federal agencies to implement a new 'Digital Government' strategy within 12 months, including creating public progress-reporting web pages within 90 days. The strategy aims to modernize government digital services, expand mobile accessibility, open government data through APIs, and improve customer experience across all .gov websites.
Implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act
This memorandum directs all federal agencies operating confinement facilities to work with the Attorney General to propose rules implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) within 120 days, and finalize them within 240 days of proposal. It extends PREA's zero-tolerance standards beyond DOJ facilities to all federal confinement facilities, including those run by other agencies or private contractors.
Identifying and Reducing Regulatory Burdens
This executive order directs federal agencies to conduct ongoing retrospective reviews of existing regulations to identify outdated or burdensome rules, with emphasis on reducing costs and paperwork while protecting public health and safety. It mandates regular public participation, prioritizes reforms that save money and reduce burdens on small businesses, and requires agencies to report progress to OIRA semi-annually starting in September 2012.
Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation
This executive order directs federal agencies to coordinate international regulatory cooperation through an existing interagency working group, with the goal of reducing unnecessary differences between U.S. and foreign regulations that could harm American business competitiveness. It requires agencies to flag regulations with significant international impacts and consider foreign regulatory approaches when developing rules.
Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources
This executive order creates an interagency working group chaired by the Domestic Policy Council Director to coordinate federal agency efforts supporting safe and responsible development of unconventional domestic natural gas resources, such as shale gas. It aims to streamline policy coordination across 13+ agencies while maintaining environmental and public health safeguards.
Establishing a Working Group on the Intersection of HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women and Girls, and Gender-related Health Disparities
This memorandum establishes a White House Working Group co-chaired by the Advisor on Violence Against Women and the Director of National AIDS Policy to coordinate federal efforts addressing the intersection of HIV/AIDS, violence against women and girls, and gender-related health disparities. The group must convene within 60 days and includes representatives from eight agencies plus advisory roles for State, USAID, and PEPFAR.
Expediting Review of Pipeline Projects From Cushing, Oklahoma, to Port Arthur, Texas, and Other Domestic Pipeline Infrastructure Projects
This memorandum directs federal agencies to expedite permitting and environmental reviews for domestic oil pipeline projects, particularly a pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to Port Arthur, Texas, to alleviate bottlenecks in crude oil transport. It requires agencies to coordinate reviews, avoid duplicative environmental studies by using prior work, and track projects on the Federal Infrastructure Projects Dashboard.
Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects
This executive order creates a Steering Committee to streamline federal permitting and review processes for infrastructure projects, requiring agencies to develop performance plans with measurable timelines and track progress on a public dashboard. It mandates coordination across federal agencies, state/local/tribal governments, and stakeholders to reduce decision times while maintaining environmental and community protections.
National Defense Resources Preparedness
This executive order delegates authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to various cabinet secretaries for prioritizing and allocating resources (food, energy, health, transportation, water, and other materials) in support of national defense. It establishes frameworks for loan guarantees, industrial base expansion, voluntary agreements, a National Defense Executive Reserve, and labor coordination during emergencies, while revoking and replacing Executive Order 12919 from 1994.
Establishing a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities
This executive order establishes a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) within HUD to coordinate federal technical assistance to local communities, helping them compete for federal resources and develop economic strategies. The Council is co-chaired by the HUD Secretary and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, with broad membership across federal agencies.
Driving Innovation and Creating Jobs in Rural America Through Biobased and Sustainable Product Procurement
This 2012 memorandum directs federal agencies to significantly increase procurement of biobased and sustainable products to promote rural economic development and job creation. It establishes specific targets for USDA to expand product designations by 50%, mandates reporting mechanisms, requires procurement system changes, and directs training and outreach for both federal acquisition personnel and small business suppliers.
Maximizing the Effectiveness of Federal Programs and Functions Supporting Trade and Investment
This 2012 memorandum directs the Export Promotion Cabinet and Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee to better coordinate federal trade and investment programs, improve customer service for exporters through BusinessUSA, evaluate and recommend streamlining of trade-related budgets and programs, co-locate offices and cross-train staff, and develop administrative initiatives to support business competitiveness pending congressional reorganization authority. It aims to maximize efficiency of existing resources rather than create new programs, in service of doubling exports by 2014.
Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and the Task Force On Travel and Competitiveness
This executive order establishes visa processing targets to boost U.S. travel and tourism, including a 40% capacity increase in China and Brazil and 80% of applicants interviewed within 3 weeks. It also creates a Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness to develop a National Travel and Tourism Strategy within 90 days.
Instituting a National Action Plan On Women, Peace, And Security
This executive order establishes a National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, directing federal agencies to integrate gender-responsive approaches into diplomatic, development, and defense work in conflict-affected environments. It mandates State, Defense, and USAID to create implementation plans and requires periodic review with civil society consultation.
Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities
This executive order establishes the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, co-chaired by the Secretaries of Education and Interior, to improve educational outcomes for AI/AN students across all educational settings. It mandates interagency coordination, requires a Memorandum of Understanding between Education and Interior within 120 days, and directs federal agencies to develop four-year implementation plans with annual performance reporting.
Managing Government Records
This memorandum launches an executive branch-wide effort to modernize federal records management for the digital age, requiring agencies to designate senior officials and submit reform plans within 120 days. The OMB Director and National Archivist must then issue a binding directive to transition agencies from paper-based to electronic records management and improve government transparency and efficiency.
Promoting Efficient Spending
This executive order directs federal agencies to reduce administrative costs by 20 percent below 2010 levels by fiscal year 2013, targeting travel, IT devices, printing, executive fleet use, and promotional items. Agencies must submit cost-reduction plans to OMB within 45 days and implement controls to curb spending on these operational areas.
Making It Easier for America's Small Businesses and America's Exporters to Access Government Services to Help Them Grow and Hire
This memorandum directs executive agencies to create BusinessUSA, a unified online platform to help small businesses and exporters navigate federal programs and services. It establishes a Steering Committee co-chaired by the Federal CIO, CTO, and Chief Performance Officer to oversee development of the platform within 90 days, with agencies required to integrate their information and services into this "No Wrong Door" system.
Structural Reforms To Improve the Security of Classified Networks and the Responsible Sharing and Safeguarding of Classified Information
This executive order establishes a comprehensive framework for securing classified computer networks across the federal government following WikiLeaks disclosures. It creates new interagency bodies to coordinate policies, designates the NSA and Defense Secretary as technical standards authorities, mandates insider threat programs at all agencies, and requires binding minimum standards for detecting and preventing unauthorized disclosures.
Developing an Integrated Strategic Counterterrorism Communications Initiative and Establishing a Temporary Organization to Support Certain Government-wide Communications Activities Directed Abroad
This executive order establishes a Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications within the State Department to coordinate U.S. government-wide counterterrorism messaging abroad, and creates a temporary Counterterrorism Communications Support Office to provide research and campaign support. Both entities focus on countering al-Qa'ida and violent extremist ideologies through strategic communications to foreign audiences.
Establishing a Coordinated Government-Wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce
This executive order establishes a coordinated, government-wide initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce. It directs OPM and OMB to develop a Government-wide Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan within 90 days, requires agencies to create their own agency-specific plans within 120 days of that plan's issuance, and mandates regular reporting on progress.
Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy Development and Permitting in Alaska
This executive order establishes an interagency working group led by the Department of the Interior to coordinate federal permitting and environmental review processes for oil and gas development in Alaska, both onshore and offshore. The group brings together deputy-level officials from multiple agencies to streamline decision-making while maintaining health, safety, and environmental standards.
Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and Accountable Government
This executive order establishes a Government Accountability and Transparency Board to expand anti-fraud tools and spending transparency across federal agencies, building on Recovery Act practices. It reinforces the Accountable Government Initiative by assigning performance reform responsibilities to agency Chief Operating Officers and Chief Financial Officers, with quarterly metric updates on performance.gov and monthly reporting on $2.1 billion in administrative cost savings targets.
Establishment of the White House Rural Council
This executive order creates the White House Rural Council, chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and comprising 25 federal agencies, to coordinate federal policy and investment in rural communities. The Council is tasked with streamlining federal spending, improving economic opportunities, and enhancing quality of life in rural America through better interagency collaboration.
Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service
This executive order requires federal agencies to develop Customer Service Plans within 180 days to streamline service delivery and improve public experience using technology, customer feedback mechanisms, and best practices from the private sector. It directs agencies to publish these plans online and designates OMB, GSA, and OSTP to provide implementation support.
Government Reform for Competitiveness and Innovation
President Obama directs the Chief Performance Officer to lead a 90-day review of federal agencies and programs focused on trade and competitiveness, with recommendations to restructure and streamline government functions to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.
Enhanced Collection of Relevant Data and Statistics Relating to Women
This March 4, 2011 memorandum directs federal agencies to identify and fill gaps in data collection about women across areas including families and income, health, employment, education, and violence and crime. It specifically encourages the National Center for Health Statistics to expedite adoption of improved maternal mortality data standards, the SEC Chair to collect information on women in corporate governance positions, and the Corporation for National and Community Service to include women's public service statistics in civic engagement measurement.
Establishment of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committees
This executive order establishes two interagency advisory committees—the Senior Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committee and the Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committee—to coordinate federal intellectual property enforcement efforts. Both committees are chaired by the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator and are tasked with developing triennial Joint Strategic Plans required under the PRO IP Act of 2008.
Regulatory Compliance
This memorandum directs executive agencies with broad regulatory compliance responsibilities to develop plans within 120 days to make their enforcement and compliance data publicly accessible, downloadable, and searchable online. It also instructs the Federal CIO and CTO to work with agencies to publish this data on centralized platforms like Data.gov and to explore cross-agency data sharing for risk-based enforcement.
Regulatory Flexibility, Small Business, and Job Creation
This memorandum directs executive agencies and requests independent agencies to give serious consideration to reducing regulatory burdens on small businesses when initiating rulemaking with significant economic impact, including through extended compliance dates, performance standards, simplified requirements, different rules by firm size, and exemptions. Agencies must explicitly justify any decision not to provide such flexibility, and the OMB Director is directed to publish the memorandum in the Federal Register.
Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
This executive order directs federal agencies to improve the regulatory process by requiring cost-benefit analysis, public participation through online comment periods, coordination to reduce redundant rules, flexible regulatory approaches, scientific integrity, and retrospective review of existing regulations. It supplements Executive Order 12866 (1993) and mandates each agency submit a plan within 120 days for periodically reviewing existing significant regulations.
Fundamental Principles and Policymaking Criteria for Partnerships With Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations
This executive order amends Executive Order 13279 to establish constitutional and operational principles for federal partnerships with faith-based and neighborhood organizations. It mandates equal treatment of faith-based providers in federal social service funding while prohibiting religious discrimination against beneficiaries and requiring separation of explicitly religious activities from federally funded programs. The order creates an Interagency Working Group to ensure uniform implementation across agencies and requires a report within 120 days on model regulations and guidance.
Controlled Unclassified Information
This executive order establishes a uniform, government-wide system for managing unclassified information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls, replacing the previous patchwork of agency-specific policies. It designates the National Archives and Records Administration as the Executive Agent to implement the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) program across the executive branch.
Establishing the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force
This executive order creates an intergovernmental task force to coordinate restoration of Gulf Coast ecosystems damaged by the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and address long-term ecological decline. The Task Force includes federal agencies, five Gulf State representatives, and tribal representatives, and is charged with developing a regional restoration strategy within one year.
Establishing a Task Force on Skills for America's Future
This memorandum establishes an interagency Task Force on Skills for America's Future, co-chaired by the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers and two White House policy assistants, to develop recommendations for improving workforce training partnerships between community colleges, businesses, labor unions, and other stakeholders. The Task Force is charged with identifying scalable approaches to career training, stackable credentials, and public-private partnerships, but has no dedicated funding or enforcement authority beyond voluntary agency coordination.
Classified National Security Information Program for State, Local, Tribal, and Private Sector Entities
This executive order establishes a formal program for sharing classified national security information with state, local, tribal, and private sector entities involved in critical infrastructure protection. It sets security standards for access and safeguarding, designates Homeland Security as the executive agent, and creates an advisory committee to resolve policy disputes and facilitate information sharing.
Freeze on Discretionary Awards, Bonuses, and Similar Payments for Federal Political Appointees
President Obama froze discretionary cash awards, bonuses, quality step increases, and similar payments for all politically appointed federal employees from August 3, 2010 through September 30, 2011 (end of Fiscal Year 2011). The Office of Personnel Management was directed to issue implementation guidance in consultation with OMB, while a broader salary freeze for senior political appointees was proposed as requiring congressional legislation.
Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals With Disabilities
This executive order directs federal agencies to increase recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities, with specific numerical goals and mandatory training programs. It revives implementation of a 2000 Clinton-era hiring target of 100,000 additional workers with disabilities over 5 years, requires agency-specific plans with performance targets, and mandates improvements to return-to-work programs for injured federal employees.
Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes
This executive order establishes a National Ocean Council to coordinate federal stewardship of oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes, implementing recommendations from the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force. It creates a framework for coastal and marine spatial planning to manage competing uses of marine environments while promoting ecosystem-based conservation. The order directs executive agencies to align their decisions with national ocean policy priorities and to participate in regional planning processes.
Unleashing the Wireless Broadband Revolution
This memorandum directs federal agencies to free up 500 MHz of spectrum over 10 years for wireless broadband use, with the Commerce Department and NTIA leading coordination with the FCC. It mandates a Plan and Timetable by October 1, 2010, establishes an interagency steering group, and requires research into spectrum-sharing technologies, with progress reporting to the National Economic Council, OMB, and OSTP.
Enhancing Payment Accuracy Through a "Do Not Pay List"
This memorandum directs federal agencies to check existing eligibility databases before making payments or awards to prevent improper payments to ineligible recipients. It establishes a 'Do Not Pay List' combining multiple databases and sets deadlines for OMB to develop integration plans and guidance.
Lobbyists on Agency Boards and Commissions
This memorandum establishes as official Obama Administration policy that federally registered lobbyists may not be appointed or reappointed to federal advisory committees, boards, and commissions. It directs OMB to issue proposed implementing guidance within 90 days, following public comment before finalization.
Disposing of Unneeded Federal Real Estate Increasing Sales Proceeds, Cutting Operating Costs, and Improving Energy Efficiency
This memorandum directs federal agencies to accelerate disposal of excess real estate, consolidate data centers, and improve space utilization to achieve $3 billion in cost savings by end of FY2012. It mandates a freeze on data center expansion, requires consolidation plans within 5 years, and tasks OMB with issuing guidance within 90 days.
National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling
This executive order establishes a seven-member presidential commission to investigate the causes of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and recommend reforms to prevent future offshore drilling disasters. The commission must submit a final public report within six months of its first meeting and terminates 60 days after doing so.
Improving the Federal Recruitment and Hiring Process
This 2010 memorandum directs federal agencies to overhaul civilian hiring by eliminating essay-style initial applications, allowing resumes and simple applications, adopting category rating instead of the "rule of 3," and holding managers accountable for hiring. It tasks OPM with establishing performance tracking, developing diversity plans, evaluating internship programs, and improving USAJOBS, with most agency actions due by November 1, 2010, and OPM actions due within 90 days.
Task Force on Space Industry Workforce and Economic Development
President Obama established an interagency task force co-chaired by the Secretary of Commerce and NASA Administrator to develop an economic development action plan for Florida's Space Coast and other aerospace communities affected by the end of the Space Shuttle program. The task force must submit a comprehensive plan by August 15, 2010, recommending how to invest $40 million in transition assistance funding, and will terminate after 3 years unless extended.
Establishing an Interagency Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses
This memorandum creates an Interagency Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses, co-chaired by the Secretary of Commerce, OMB Director, and SBA Administrator. The Task Force must deliver proposals within 120 days to increase small business contracting, and a website for transparency must be developed within 90 days to track small business participation in federal procurement.
Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development
This executive order establishes an Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development within the Small Business Administration to coordinate federal efforts to improve capital access, contracting opportunities, and business development support for small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans. The Task Force includes representatives from seven federal agencies and four veterans' organizations, and must report annually to the President on its activities and proposals.
Establishing the President's Management Advisory Board
This executive order creates the President's Management Advisory Board (PMAB), an advisory body of up to 18 members—mostly private-sector leaders—tasked with recommending best business practices for federal management, particularly in productivity, technology, and customer service. The board sits within GSA, is chaired by OMB's Deputy Director for Management, and automatically terminates after two years unless extended.
A 21st Century Strategy for America's Great Outdoors
This memorandum establishes the America's Great Outdoors Initiative, led by Interior, Agriculture, EPA, and CEQ, to reconnect Americans—especially children—with nature through community-based conservation, public-private partnerships, and interagency coordination. It mandates listening sessions across the country and requires three reports: an initial strategy report by November 15, 2010, and annual progress reports by September 30, 2011 and 2012.
Combating Noncompliance With Recovery Act Reporting Requirements
This memorandum directs federal agencies to intensify enforcement of Recovery Act reporting requirements by prime recipients, including terminating awards, suspending and debarring noncompliant recipients, reclaiming funds, and taking punitive actions. It requires agencies to report noncompliance details to OMB and directs the OMB Director to review and update guidance within 30 days.
Ensuring Enforcement and Implementation of Abortion Restrictions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
This executive order reinforces existing Hyde Amendment restrictions on federal funding for abortion services within the Affordable Care Act, directing HHS and OMB to develop model accounting guidelines for segregating funds in health insurance exchanges and requiring HHS to ensure community health center grantees comply with abortion funding limitations. It was issued to secure support for the ACA's passage by addressing concerns from anti-abortion legislators about federal subsidies potentially covering abortion services.
National Export Initiative
This executive order creates the National Export Initiative (NEI) to double U.S. exports over five years and establishes an Export Promotion Cabinet of cabinet-level officials and agency heads to coordinate federal export promotion efforts. The order directs the Cabinet to develop programs supporting small and medium-sized business exports, increase export credit, reduce trade barriers, and produce a comprehensive implementation plan within 180 days.
Finding And Recapturing Improper Payments
This memorandum directs federal agencies to expand use of "Payment Recapture Audits" to identify and recover improper payments to contractors and other entities. The OMB Director must issue implementation guidance within 90 days and coordinate with the Council for Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency to review agency effectiveness.
Establishing a Task Force on Childhood Obesity
This memorandum establishes a Task Force on Childhood Obesity chaired by the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, with membership from multiple Cabinet secretaries and agency heads. The Task Force is directed to develop and submit within 90 days a comprehensive interagency action plan to solve childhood obesity within a generation, though its functions are explicitly advisory only.
A Comprehensive Federal Strategy on Carbon Capture and Storage
This memorandum establishes an Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage co-chaired by DOE and EPA to develop a plan within 180 days to overcome barriers to deploying CCS technology. It aims to bring 5-10 commercial demonstration projects online by 2016, with the goal of widespread cost-effective CCS deployment within 10 years.
Addressing Tax Delinquency by Government Contractors
This memorandum directs the IRS Commissioner to review contractor tax-delinquency certifications required under a 2008 Federal Acquisition Regulation amendment and report back within 90 days on their accuracy. It also orders OMB, Treasury, and agency heads to evaluate contracting officer practices and recommend within 90 days process improvements to block tax-delinquent contractors from receiving new awards, including a plan for a government-wide certification database.
Creating Labor-Management Forums to Improve Delivery of Government Services
This executive order establishes the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations and requires federal agencies to create labor-management forums for collaborative problem-solving. It mandates pre-decisional union involvement in workplace matters, requires implementation plans within 90 days, and creates pilot programs for bargaining over permissive subjects under 5 U.S.C. 7106(b)(1).
Reducing Improper Payments
This executive order establishes a comprehensive framework to reduce improper payments across federal programs by increasing transparency, designating accountable officials, setting reduction targets, and improving coordination between federal, state, and local governments. It creates public reporting requirements, working groups to recommend improvements, and mechanisms for public reporting of suspected waste, fraud, and abuse.
Tribal Consultation
This memorandum directs all federal agency heads to develop detailed plans for implementing Executive Order 13175 on tribal consultation, with progress reports due thereafter. It mandates OMB review and a presidential report within one year to strengthen government-to-government relationships with Indian tribes.
Increasing Participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Federal Programs
This executive order establishes a President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) housed in the Department of Education and a White House Initiative on AAPIs co-chaired by the Secretaries of Commerce and Education. The order directs federal agencies to develop plans to improve AAPI access to federal programs, increase AAPI federal workforce participation, and advance data collection and research on AAPI subpopulations.
Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance
This executive order mandates federal agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy and water efficiency, eliminate waste, and adopt sustainable practices in buildings, fleets, and procurement. It establishes a comprehensive framework with specific reduction targets, reporting requirements, and oversight mechanisms through the Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Management and Budget.
Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research
This memorandum directs all executive departments and agencies that conduct or fund stem cell research to adopt the NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research issued July 7, 2009. It requires these agencies to submit proposed revisions to their own stem cell research policies to OMB within 90 days for review.
Establishing a White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers
This executive order creates a White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers to coordinate federal assistance for areas hit hard by auto industry job losses. The council includes cabinet secretaries and senior officials across multiple agencies, and is tasked with aligning federal programs to support automotive workers and communities. It automatically terminates after two years unless extended by the President.
Classified Information and Controlled Unclassified Information
This memorandum directs two major reviews: first, a 90-day review of Executive Order 12958 on classified national security information to recommend reforms including a National Declassification Center and measures against over-classification; second, creation of an Interagency Task Force on Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) led by the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to review procedures for sensitive but unclassified information and report recommendations within 90 days. Both initiatives aim to increase government transparency while protecting legitimate security and privacy interests.
Preemption
This memorandum establishes a policy restricting executive agencies from preempting state law through regulations unless there is explicit congressional authorization or sufficient legal basis. It directs agency heads to review regulations from the past 10 years containing preemption provisions and amend those that cannot be legally justified.
Ensuring Responsible Spending of Recovery Act Funds
This memorandum directs executive agencies to implement merit-based criteria for awarding Recovery Act funds, prohibits funding for imprudent projects like casinos and golf courses, restricts registered lobbyist influence by requiring written communications and public posting, and mandates transparency measures including 30-day delays and website publication for controversial projects.
Establishing a White House Council on Women And Girls
This executive order creates a White House Council on Women and Girls to coordinate federal policy across agencies on issues affecting women and girls, including pay equity, healthcare access, educational opportunity, and workforce participation. The Council is advisory, composed of Cabinet secretaries and senior officials, and must submit an interagency plan within 150 days.
Scientific Integrity
This March 9, 2009 memorandum directs the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop within 120 days recommendations for ensuring scientific integrity across the executive branch. It establishes principles that political officials should not suppress scientific findings, that scientific information should ordinarily be public, and that science positions should be filled based on credentials rather than politics.
Government Contracting
This March 4, 2009 memorandum directs the OMB Director, in collaboration with other agency heads, to develop government-wide guidance by July 1, 2009 and September 30, 2009 to reduce noncompetitive and cost-reimbursement contracts, increase fixed-price contracts, strengthen contract oversight, and clarify when outsourcing of inherently governmental functions is inappropriate. It responds to sharp increases in sole-source and cost-reimbursement contracting since 2001 and aims to improve value for taxpayers.
Establishment of the White House Office of Urban Affairs
This executive order creates the White House Office of Urban Affairs within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate federal urban policy across departments and agencies. The Office is tasked with developing a comprehensive urban policy agenda, ensuring federal spending in urban areas is effective, and engaging with state/local officials and private stakeholders.
Establishment of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board
This executive order creates the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board (PERAB), a 17-member advisory body within the Department of the Treasury to provide independent, nonpartisan economic advice to the President during the 2008-2009 financial crisis. The board has purely advisory functions with no operational authority and is automatically set to terminate after two years unless extended.
Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects
This executive order encourages federal agencies to consider requiring Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)—pre-hire collective bargaining agreements with labor unions—for large-scale federal construction projects costing $25 million or more. It revokes two Bush-era executive orders that had restricted PLA requirements, and mandates regulatory implementation within 120 days and a broader policy review within 180 days.
Amendments to Executive Order 13199 and Establishment of the President's Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
This executive order renames and restructures the White House faith-based initiative, establishing the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. It adds constitutional safeguards regarding religion clauses, emphasizes accountability and measurable results for federally funded services, and creates a 25-member advisory council with a 2-year sunset provision.
Regulatory Review
This memorandum directs the OMB Director to produce within 100 days recommendations for a new Executive Order on federal regulatory review, updating EO 12866's framework. It calls for suggestions on OIRA-agency relations, transparency, public participation, cost-benefit analysis, distributional fairness, reducing regulatory delay, behavioral sciences, and regulatory tools.
White House Task Force on Middle-Class Working Families
President Obama established a White House Task Force on Middle-Class Working Families, chaired by Vice President Biden, to recommend policies on education, work-family balance, labor standards, income protection, and retirement security. The Task Force includes cabinet secretaries and senior White House economic advisors, with annual public reports required starting one year from signing.
Revocation of Certain Executive Orders Concerning Regulatory Planning and Review
This executive order revokes two Bush-era executive orders (13258 and 13422) that had amended the regulatory review process established under Executive Order 12866. It directs OMB and agency heads to promptly rescind implementing rules and policies tied to the revoked orders. The action restores the pre-2002 framework for regulatory planning and review.
Freedom of Information Act
This memorandum directs executive agencies to adopt a presumption of disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, instructing the Attorney General to issue new FOIA guidelines and the OMB Director to update public information dissemination guidance, including through new technologies.
Transparency and Open Government
This memorandum establishes principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration as core values for the Obama Administration and directs the CTO, OMB Director, and GSA Administrator to develop within 120 days recommendations for an Open Government Directive that would instruct agencies to take specific implementing actions.
Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel
This executive order requires all executive branch appointees hired on or after January 20, 2009, to sign a binding ethics pledge that imposes a two-year revolving door ban between lobbying and government service, prohibits gifts from registered lobbyists, bars departing appointees from lobbying the administration, and mandates merit-based hiring decisions. The order establishes enforcement mechanisms including civil penalties and debarment, with waiver authority vested in the OMB Director.