Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility

This executive order directs federal agencies to review welfare programs and regulations to promote work requirements, reduce bureaucracy, and increase state flexibility in administering public assistance. It establishes nine 'Principles of Economic Mobility' and mandates specific agency reviews and reports within 90 days.

Federal Register Open PDF 83 FR 15941

Impact dates

Oct 7, 2018
Take steps to implement recommended administrative actions
Jul 9, 2018
Submit list of recommended regulatory and policy changes to OMB and Assistant to President for Domestic Policy
Jul 9, 2018
Submit report to President on compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1611(a), lists of restricted and non-restricted benefit programs

Key directives

Review all regulations and guidance on waivers/exemptions for public assistance eligibility
Review public assistance programs without work requirements for potential work requirement addition
Review existing work requirements for consistency with EO principles
Submit recommended regulatory and policy changes within 90 days
Implement recommended administrative actions within 90 days after submission
Submit alien benefit restriction compliance reports within 90 days
Consolidate similar workforce development programs where legally permitted
Establish clear outcome metrics for public assistance programs
Enforce 8 U.S.C. 1611(a) restrictions on non-qualified aliens

Timeline

Immediate

EO establishes policy framework and principles
Agencies directed to begin reviews of regulations and programs

Near term (90d)

Secretaries submit list of recommended regulatory and policy changes to OMB and Domestic Policy Advisor
Secretaries submit compliance reports on alien benefit restrictions to President

Long term

Agencies take steps to implement recommended administrative actions (within 90 days after recommendations)
Potential consolidation of workforce development programs
Ongoing state/local flexibility in program design

Risks & tensions

Work requirement expansion may face legal challenges and practical implementation barriers
Consolidation of workforce programs could disrupt existing service delivery
State flexibility vs federal accountability tension inherent in design
Vague 'to the extent permitted by law' qualifiers limit enforceability of directives
Potential conflict with statutory protections for certain populations (disabilities, etc.)
Alien benefit restrictions already in statute; EO's emphasis may signal heightened enforcement