Establishing a Transition Planning Office for the Department of Homeland Security Within the Office of Management and Budget

This executive order created a temporary Transition Planning Office within OMB to coordinate executive branch planning for the proposed Department of Homeland Security and to work with Congress on the authorizing legislation. The office was designed to sunset automatically upon enactment of the legislation or after one year, whichever came first.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 42469

Impact dates

Jun 20, 2003
Office terminates: 90 days after DHS legislation enacted OR 1 year from order date (whichever first)

Key directives

Establish Transition Planning Office within OMB
Coordinate executive branch transition planning for proposed DHS
Work with Congress on DHS legislation per Presidential guidance
OMB to provide personnel, funding, and administrative support subject to appropriations
Maintain separation between Assistant to the President and Director roles if held by same individual
All executive departments and agencies directed to assist Transition Planning Office

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Transition Planning Office established within OMB
Director position created
OMB directed to provide personnel and funding

Near term (90d)

Coordination of transition planning across executive branch
Congressional liaison on DHS legislation

Long term

Department of Homeland Security establishment (contingent on legislation)
Automatic termination of office upon enactment or one-year deadline

Risks & tensions

Contingent on Congressional action—office could expire without achieving mission if legislation stalls
Funding constraint 'subject to availability of appropriations' may limit operational capacity
Dual-hat provision (Sec. 3(b)) suggests awareness of potential conflicts between White House political role and transition planning
Vague: 'appropriate personnel' and 'as appropriate' leave staffing levels to OMB discretion