Revocation of Certain Executive Orders Concerning Federal Regulation

Democracy & Governance Economy & Labor Energy & Environment Federal Workforce

In simple terms

This executive order revokes six Trump-era executive orders that imposed restrictions on federal regulation, including rules requiring two regulations be eliminated for every new one, regulatory cost caps, and limits on agency guidance documents. It directs agencies to promptly rescind implementing rules and abolish related positions and task forces, giving agencies more flexibility to use regulation to address COVID-19, economic recovery, racial justice, and climate change.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 7049

Record & deadlines

Jan 20, 2021Signed
Signed by the President
Jan 25, 2021FR published
Published in the Federal Register · 86 FR 7049
Federal Register PDF
Jan 20, 2021
Prompt rescission of implementing orders, rules, regulations, guidelines, or policies
Jan 20, 2021
Prompt provision of available exemptions if immediate rescission not possible
Jan 20, 2021
Abolition of personnel positions, committees, task forces, or other entities established under revoked EOs

Key directives

Revoke EO 13771 (2-for-1 regulatory requirement and cost cap)
Revoke EO 13777 (regulatory reform agenda with officers and task forces)
Revoke EO 13875 (federal advisory committee limits)
Revoke EO 13891 (restrictions on agency guidance documents)
Revoke EO 13892 (restrictions on civil administrative enforcement)
Revoke EO 13893 (administrative PAYGO)
OMB Director and agency heads shall promptly rescind implementing orders, rules, regulations, guidelines, or policies
If rescission cannot be finalized immediately, promptly provide all available exemptions
Abolish personnel positions, committees, task forces, or other entities established pursuant to revoked EOs, including regulatory reform officers and task forces

Who is ordered

Prior policyRollback

revokeEO 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs)
revokeEO 13777 (Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda)
revokeEO 13875 (Evaluating and Improving the Utility of Federal Advisory Committees)
revokeEO 13891 (Promoting the Rule of Law Through Improved Agency Guidance Documents)
revokeEO 13892 (Promoting the Rule of Law Through Transparency and Fairness in Civil Administrative Enforcement and Adjudication)
revokeEO 13893 (Increasing Government Accountability for Administrative Actions by Reinvigorating Administrative PAYGO)
rescindorders, rules, regulations, guidelines, or policies implementing or enforcing the revoked Executive Orders
otherpersonnel positions, committees, task forces, or other entities established pursuant to the revoked Executive Orders, including regulatory reform officer positions and regulatory reform task forces established by sections 2 and 3 of EO 13777

Related orders

What to expect

Immediate

Revocation of six executive orders takes effect
Regulatory reform officer positions and task forces abolished
Agencies instructed to promptly rescind implementing rules or provide exemptions

Near term (90d)

OMB and agency heads complete rescission of orders, rules, regulations, guidelines, or policies implementing revoked EOs
Personnel positions and entities established under revoked EOs wound down

Long term

Shift in federal regulatory philosophy enabling more robust rulemaking on climate, health, civil rights, and economic policy
Potential increase in regulatory burden on affected industries

Risks & tensions

Vague 'promptly' language leaves timeline uncertain; no fixed deadline for rescissions
Rescission must comply with Administrative Procedure Act, creating procedural delays and potential litigation
Abolition of regulatory reform officers may reduce intra-agency oversight of regulatory costs
Revocation of guidance document restrictions may increase regulatory uncertainty for regulated entities
Potential tension with congressional oversight if regulatory activity expands significantly