ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 12897Executive OrderClinton · D

Executive Order 12897

Garnishment of Federal Employees' Pay

This executive order delegates regulatory authority for implementing federal employee wage garnishment rules under 5 U.S.C. § 5520a. The Office of Personnel Management gains authority over civilian executive branch employees, while the Postal Service retains independent authority over its own workers.

Federal Register 59 FR 5517
No PDF available for this document.

Key directives

  • OPM, in consultation with Attorney General, shall promulgate regulations implementing 5 U.S.C. § 5520a for civilian executive branch employees and agencies
  • Postmaster General shall promulgate regulations implementing 5 U.S.C. § 5520a for USPS employees

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • OPM and Postal Service designated as respective rulemaking authorities

Near term (90d)

  • regulation drafting and interagency consultation expected to begin

Long term

  • implementation of garnishment procedures across federal workforce once regulations finalized

Risks & tensions

  • No explicit deadlines or compliance timelines specified in text
  • Dual regulatory structure (OPM vs. Postal Service) may create procedural inconsistency
  • Consultation requirement with Attorney General adds procedural step but no binding timeline
Executive Order 12897: Garnishment of Federal Employees' Pay · Executive Orders