ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13421Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13421

Providing for the Closing of Government Departments and Agencies on January 2, 2007

This executive order closes all federal executive departments and agencies on January 2, 2007, as a mark of respect for former President Gerald R. Ford following his death. The closure applies to pay and leave provisions under existing law, with exemptions for national security, defense, and essential public business as determined by agency heads.

Federal Register Open PDF 72 FR 425

Impact dates

  1. All executive departments and agencies closed (with exemptions)

Key directives

  • Close all executive departments, independent establishments, and governmental agencies on January 2, 2007
  • Treat January 2, 2007 as falling under Executive Order 11582 and 5 U.S.C. 5546 and 6103(b) for pay and leave purposes
  • Exempt State, Defense, Justice, Homeland Security, and other agencies from closure if heads determine need for national security, defense, or essential public business

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • EO issued December 28, 2006

Near term (90d)

  • Federal closure on January 2, 2007

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Minimal operational tension given routine nature of funeral honor closures
  • Exemption determinations left entirely to agency heads without stated criteria, creating potential inconsistency
  • Short 5-day notice between signing and effective date may complicate planning for some agencies
Executive Order 13421: Providing for the Closing of Government Departments and Agencies on January 2, 2007 · Executive Orders