Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on Monday, December 24, 2012

This executive order closes all executive branch departments and agencies on Monday, December 24, 2012, excusing federal employees from duty for the day before Christmas. Agency heads may exempt certain offices and employees for national security, defense, or other public needs.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 76339

Impact dates

Dec 24, 2012
Federal government closure and employee excusal from duty

Key directives

Close all executive branch departments and agencies on December 24, 2012
Excuse federal employees from duty on December 24, 2012
Agency heads may exempt offices/employees for national security, defense, or public need
December 24, 2012 treated as holiday for pay and leave purposes under 5 U.S.C. 5546 and 6103(b)
OPM Director to implement the order

Who is ordered

OPM Director · OPM
Agency Heads · Various

Timeline

Immediate

Federal government closure on December 24, 2012
OPM Director authorized to implement

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Minimal tension: routine holiday closure with standard national security exemptions
Vague 'other public need' exemption allows broad agency head discretion
Subject to appropriations availability per standard EO boilerplate