ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13278Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13278

President's Commission on the United States Postal Service

This executive order establishes a nine-member presidential commission to examine the U.S. Postal Service's financial condition and future viability, with a mandate to recommend legislative and administrative reforms. The commission, housed administratively within the Treasury Department, must submit its report by July 31, 2003, and terminates by August 30, 2003.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 76671

Impact dates

  1. Commission termination (absolute latest date)

  2. Commission report due to President through Treasury Secretary

  3. Commission termination (30 days after submitting report)

Key directives

  • Establish 9-member Commission with 2 Co-Chairs appointed by President
  • Treasury to provide administrative support and funding
  • Commission to examine USPS role, pricing flexibility, cost rigidities, universal service viability, monopoly restrictions, and governance structure
  • Commission to consult Congress, government officials, postal users, and public
  • Report to President through Treasury Secretary by July 31, 2003
  • Commission terminates 30 days after report or by August 30, 2003, whichever is earlier

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Commission establishment
  • Treasury Department to provide administrative support and funding

Near term (90d)

  • Commission membership appointment by President
  • Staff hiring (Executive Director)
  • Subcommittee establishment
  • Public hearings and information gathering

Long term

  • Report submission with reform recommendations
  • Potential legislative action based on recommendations
  • Commission termination

Risks & tensions

  • Commission lacks binding authority; recommendations depend on presidential and congressional follow-through
  • Short 7-month timeline may limit depth of analysis on complex postal reform issues
  • No compensation for members may limit pool of qualified candidates
  • Monopoly restrictions vs. private competition tension explicitly framed in mandate
  • Universal service obligation vs. financial viability tension central to commission's mission
  • Vague on specific scope of 'minimum exposure to taxpayers'—interpretation left to commission
Executive Order 13278: President's Commission on the United States Postal Service · Executive Orders