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EO 13961Executive OrderTrump 45 · R Quiet signal

Executive Order 13961

Governance and Integration of Federal Mission Resilience

This executive order establishes a new Federal Mission Resilience Executive Committee to oversee continuity of government operations, replacing previous structures under EO 13618. It mandates development of an implementation plan for the Federal Mission Resilience Strategy, reviews existing continuity policy, and designates the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs as the National Continuity Coordinator under PPD-40.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 79379

Impact dates

  1. Review of existing continuity policy and recommendations due to President

  2. Federal Mission Resilience Executive Committee Charter due to President

  3. Federal Mission Resilience Implementation Plan due to President

Key directives

  • Establish Federal Mission Resilience Executive Committee with specified membership
  • Submit Executive Committee Charter within 90 days identifying subordinate bodies and reporting mechanisms
  • Submit Implementation Plan within 90 days describing near-/mid-/long-term actions for NEF performance
  • Coordinate review of existing continuity policy and provide recommendations within 120 days
  • Designate APNSA (or designee) as National Continuity Coordinator under PPD-40
  • Delegate Communications Act authorities to OSTP Director under specified conditions
  • Transfer responsibilities from EO 13618 Executive Committee to new Executive Committee
  • Revoke section 3 of EO 13618

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • EO takes effect upon signing; Executive Committee established; APNSA designated as National Continuity Coordinator

Near term (90d)

  • Executive Committee Charter due (90 days)
  • Implementation Plan due (90 days)
  • Continuity policy review and recommendations due (120 days)

Long term

  • Ongoing implementation of Federal Mission Resilience Strategy
  • Integration of continuity preparedness into day-to-day agency operations
  • Potential structural shift from reactive relocation to proactive distributed risk posture

Risks & tensions

  • Late-term EO (December 2020) with 90-120 day deadlines extending into new administration; implementation continuity uncertain
  • Overlap with existing PPD-40 framework may create coordination friction
  • 'Subject to availability of appropriations' may limit execution
  • Vague 'as appropriate' language on committee convening frequency reduces accountability
  • OSTP authority contingent on presidential action to invoke Communications Act powers—conditional, not automatic
Executive Order 13961: Governance and Integration of Federal Mission Resilience · Executive Orders