Federal Interagency Task Force on the District of Columbia

This executive order formally establishes the Federal Interagency Task Force on the District of Columbia, chaired by the OMB Director and composed of 18 cabinet-level and agency heads, to coordinate federal assistance for D.C.'s financial stability, economic growth, and self-governance. It continues and institutionalizes interagency work begun in 1995 to support the nation's capital through improved federal-local coordination.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 5421

Key directives

Establish Federal Interagency Task Force on the District of Columbia
Task Force chaired by OMB Director with optional Assistant Director appointment
OMB provides administrative support; other agencies may provide staff and resources
Develop, review, modify, and implement program recommendations for D.C. financial stability, economic growth, and self-government
Communicate with federal and local officials early in program planning cycles
Serve as liaison between executive branch and D.C. executive, legislative, judicial branches and private sector
Formulate interagency compacts and cooperative agreements with D.C.
Develop comprehensive coordinated plan on continuing basis
Provide targeted assistance to economically distressed areas within existing budgetary resources
Participate in neighborhood revitalization initiatives including Anacostia Best Practices initiative
Accommodate concerns of local elected officials in proposing federal assistance

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Task Force formally established upon signing
OMB Director assumes chairmanship
18 specified members automatically appointed

Near term (90d)

Development of comprehensive coordinated plan for D.C. priorities
Formulation of interagency compacts and cooperative agreements

Long term

Ongoing coordination of federal programs and technical assistance for D.C.
Continuous plan review and modification for financial stability and self-governance
Targeted assistance to economically distressed areas

Risks & tensions

Multiple 'to the extent permitted by law' qualifiers may limit enforceability of cooperation
No dedicated funding mechanism; relies on 'existing budgetary resources' which may constrain actual assistance
Task Force composition is large (18+ members) which may create coordination challenges
Vague 'as appropriate' language on implementation gives OMB Director broad discretion
Section 7 explicitly denies any enforceable rights, limiting accountability