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.

Federal Register Open PDF 74 FR 30903

Impact dates

Jun 23, 2011
Council termination unless extended by President

Key directives

Establish White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers within Executive Office of the President
Co-Chairs to convene regular meetings, determine agenda, and direct work
Director for Recovery of Auto Communities and Workers to serve as Executive Director
Council to provide leadership and coordinate policy development across agencies
Council to advise President on effects of pending legislation and policy proposals
Council to provide recommendations to President on changes to federal policies and programs
Council to conduct outreach to nonprofits, business, labor, state/local government, and elected officials
Executive departments and agencies to assist and provide information to Council
Agencies to afford consideration to requests from automotive communities for technical assistance, financial resources, and surplus property

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Council established within Executive Office of the President
Co-Chairs (Secretary of Labor and NEC Director) authorized to convene meetings

Near term (90d)

Council expected to begin regular meetings and establish agenda
Outreach to stakeholders to begin
Initial coordination of federal economic adjustment assistance activities

Long term

Council terminates June 23, 2011 unless extended by President
Potential policy recommendations to President on federal program changes

Risks & tensions

Council has advisory and coordinating role only—no independent grant-making authority or budget
Effectiveness depends on voluntary agency cooperation and Co-Chairs' ability to drive priorities
Termination clause creates institutional uncertainty; two-year window may limit long-term impact
No specific metrics or reporting requirements defined for measuring success
Vague 'afford consideration' language in Sec. 6(b) creates no binding obligation for agencies to assist communities