Establishment of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness

This executive order creates the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness (PCJC) within the Department of the Treasury to provide non-partisan advice on economic growth, competitiveness, and job creation. It replaces the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board (revoking EO 13501) with a new advisory body of private-sector representatives and experts. The council has a 2-year lifespan unless extended by the President.

Federal Register Open PDF 76 FR 6309

Impact dates

Jan 31, 2013
PCJC terminates unless extended by President

Key directives

Establish PCJC within Department of the Treasury
Appoint members from outside Federal Government representing diverse economic sectors
Designate Chair from among members
Treasury to provide staff as necessary
All agencies and EOP offices to cooperate with PCJC and provide requested information
Treasury to provide funding and administrative support within existing appropriations
Revoke Executive Order 13501
PCJC functions are advisory only
PCJC to meet regularly and solicit national ideas
PCJC to report directly to President on economic policy
PCJC to provide analysis to Federal Reserve Chairman, NEC, and relevant agencies as appropriate

Who is ordered

Secretary of the Treasury · Department of the Treasury

Timeline

Immediate

EO 13501 revoked
PCJC established within Treasury
ex-officio members designated (PCAST Co-Chair, PEC Chair and Vice Chair)

Near term (90d)

Treasury to arrange staff and administrative support
President to appoint members and designate Chair
PCJC to begin regular meetings and solicit national input

Long term

2-year termination unless extended by President
Ongoing advisory reports to President on economic policy design and implementation
Potential policy recommendations to agencies and Federal Reserve Chairman

Risks & tensions

Advisory-only status limits direct policy impact; effectiveness depends on President's willingness to act on recommendations
2-year sunset creates institutional uncertainty and may discourage long-term planning
Replacement of PERAB with PCJC suggests shift from recovery-focused to competitiveness-focused economic advice, but text does not specify why
No mandated report deadlines or meeting frequency—'regularly' is vague
Dependent on existing appropriations; funding constraints could limit operations
Potential tension between private-sector member perspectives and public interest in job creation