ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 12897Executive OrderClinton · D

Executive Order 12897

Garnishment of Federal Employees' Pay

Federal WorkforceFederal WorkforceEconomy & LaborEconomy & Labor

In simple terms

This executive order delegates regulatory authority for implementing federal employee wage garnishment rules under 5 U.S.C. § 5520a. The Office of Personnel Management gains authority over civilian executive branch employees, while the Postal Service retains independent authority over its own workers.

Federal Register 59 FR 5517
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Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 59 FR 5517

    Federal Register

Key directives

  • OPM, in consultation with Attorney General, shall promulgate regulations implementing 5 U.S.C. § 5520a for civilian executive branch employees and agencies
  • Postmaster General shall promulgate regulations implementing 5 U.S.C. § 5520a for USPS employees

Who is ordered

What to expect

Immediate

  • OPM and Postal Service designated as respective rulemaking authorities

Near term (90d)

  • regulation drafting and interagency consultation expected to begin

Long term

  • implementation of garnishment procedures across federal workforce once regulations finalized

Risks & tensions

  • No explicit deadlines or compliance timelines specified in text
  • Dual regulatory structure (OPM vs. Postal Service) may create procedural inconsistency
  • Consultation requirement with Attorney General adds procedural step but no binding timeline
Executive Order 12897: Garnishment of Federal Employees' Pay · Executive Orders