President
Executive orders directing the President · 88 in Obama · 495 all terms.
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Orders
88 shown · Obama
Continuing To Expand Opportunity for All Young People
This memorandum amends a 2014 Obama-era initiative by renaming the 'My Brother's Keeper' program to the 'Task Force on Improving the Lives of Boys and Young Men of Color and Underserved Youth,' expanding its membership to include 23 specified agency heads and officials, adding reporting requirements including annual status reports and biennial reviews, and broadening the scope to explicitly include 'underserved youth' alongside boys and young men of color.
Steps for Increased Legal and Policy Transparency Concerning the United States Use of Military Force and Related National Security Operations
This December 2016 memorandum directs national security departments and agencies to prepare a public report describing legal and policy frameworks governing U.S. military force and related national security operations, with annual updates coordinated by the NSC staff. It aims to institutionalize transparency practices developed during the Obama administration regarding counterterrorism and national security operations.
Establishing a Community Solutions Council
This executive order establishes a new Community Solutions Council to coordinate federal community investment programs across agencies, replacing two prior Obama-era councils. The Council is led by two Co-Chairs (one from the White House/OMB, one rotating among eight major agencies every four years) and includes 34+ members spanning nearly the entire Cabinet and key White House offices. It builds on existing place-based initiatives like Promise Zones and StrikeForce, with a mandate to foster interagency collaboration, scale evidence-based practices, and center locally led visions in federal policymaking.
Advancing the Global Health Security Agenda To Achieve a World Safe and Secure From Infectious Disease Threats
This executive order institutionalizes U.S. participation in the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), a multinational initiative to strengthen countries' abilities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. It creates a new interagency council chaired by National Security Council staff, assigns specific roles to 13 agencies, and mandates reporting and external evaluation requirements through 2019.
Advancing the Goals of the Power Africa Initiative to Expand Access to Electricity in Sub- Saharan Africa Through the Establishment of the President's Power Africa Working Group
This executive order establishes a formal interagency structure to advance the Power Africa initiative, which aims to double electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 through 30,000 MW of new capacity and 60 million new connections. It creates a Coordinator position at USAID and a Power Africa Working Group co-chaired by USAID and the NSC to coordinate across 13 federal agencies. The order also directs agencies to facilitate participation of African private sector companies in energy projects.
Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events
This executive order establishes a coordinated federal framework to prepare for and mitigate space weather events such as solar flares and geomagnetic disturbances that threaten critical infrastructure including GPS, satellites, aviation, and the electrical power grid. It assigns specific roles to multiple agencies, creates a new NSTC subcommittee for coordination, and mandates several plans and assessments within 60-180 days to enhance forecasting, infrastructure protection, and emergency response capabilities.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the National Security Workforce
This memorandum directs national security agencies to improve diversity and inclusion through data transparency, expanded demographic tracking, professional development programs, and leadership accountability measures. It requires annual public reporting on workforce demographics and inclusion metrics, with initial reports due within 90 days.
Delegation of Certain Authorities and Assignment of Certain Functions Under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015
This executive order delegates specific presidential authorities under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 to cabinet secretaries and the U.S. Trade Representative, including export promotion coordination, trade capacity building, and currency exchange rate enforcement procedures. It establishes interagency consultation requirements for enhanced bilateral engagement on currency manipulation and creates a formal recommendation process for potential remedial actions.
United States Policy on Pre- and Post-Strike Measures To Address Civilian Casualties in U.S. Operations Involving the Use of Force
This executive order establishes U.S. policy to minimize civilian casualties in military operations and drone strikes, requiring enhanced training, better intelligence systems, and weapons that enable more precise targeting. It mandates annual public reporting of strikes against terrorist targets outside active war zones and their civilian death tolls, beginning with a report covering 2016 due by May 1, 2017. The order also requires periodic interagency consultation on civilian casualty trends and mitigation efforts.
Global Entrepreneurship
This executive order establishes the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) Program under the Commerce Department to leverage successful entrepreneurs' networks for mentoring and policy advocacy worldwide. It also creates a Global Connect Initiative and interagency Steering Group to expand internet access in developing countries, with reporting requirements through 2020.
A Comprehensive Approach to Atrocity Prevention and Response
This executive order institutionalizes the Atrocities Prevention Board (APB) originally established by Presidential Study Directive-10 in 2012, formalizing its structure, membership, and operational protocols across national security agencies. It mandates interagency coordination on monitoring, early warning, deterrence, and response to mass atrocities and genocide, with specific requirements for intelligence collection, civilian capacity deployment, training, and annual reporting to the President and public.
Facilitation of a Presidential Transition
This executive order establishes two coordinating bodies—the White House Transition Coordinating Council and the Agency Transition Directors Council—to improve planning and information sharing for presidential transitions. It mandates specific preparation activities including briefing materials, emergency exercises, and career employee readiness, with a hard deadline for agency materials before November 1 of election years.
Promoting Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
This memorandum establishes a Federal Interagency Reentry Council co-chaired by the Attorney General and the White House Domestic Policy Council Director to coordinate federal efforts reducing recidivism and removing barriers to employment, housing, and reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals. It directs agencies to review hiring and occupational licensing procedures to avoid automatic disqualification based on criminal records, and requires a federal strategic plan within 100 days.
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force
This memorandum establishes an interagency Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force to coordinate implementation of federal parity protections ensuring mental health and substance use disorder coverage is comparable to medical/surgical care. The Task Force, chaired by the Domestic Policy Council Director and comprising nine agency heads, is charged with identifying best practices, addressing guidance gaps, and submitting a public report by October 31, 2016.
Building National Capabilities for Long-Term Drought Resilience
This memorandum institutionalizes the National Drought Resilience Partnership (NDRP) as an interagency task force to coordinate federal drought resilience efforts. It directs agencies to take specific actions by December 31, 2016, across six goal areas including data integration, drought planning, critical infrastructure risk communication, federal coordination, market-based water approaches, and water efficiency technology. The NDRP is housed at USDA with co-chairs from Agriculture and rotating Commerce leadership, and must produce a charter within 90 days and an initial progress report within 150 days.
White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force
This memorandum establishes the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force, chaired by the Vice President, to coordinate federal efforts to accelerate cancer research, treatment, and prevention. The Task Force includes heads of 14 executive departments and agencies and is directed to produce findings and recommendations on accelerating research, improving patient care, reducing regulatory barriers, and developing public-private partnerships, with a report due to the President by December 31, 2016.
Using Behavioral Science Insights To Better Serve the American People
This executive order directs federal agencies to incorporate behavioral science insights—such as automatic enrollment, simplified forms, and improved information presentation—into policy design to improve program outcomes and cost-effectiveness. It establishes the Social and Behavioral Sciences Team (SBST) under the National Science and Technology Council to provide guidance and requires annual implementation reports through 2019.
Presidential Innovation Fellows Program
This executive order establishes the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program to bring talented entrepreneurs, executives, and technologists into the federal government for short-term appointments. The program is housed within the General Services Administration and aims to apply innovative techniques and technology to address significant national challenges.
Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate Disputes Between New Jersey Transit Rail and Certain of Its Employees Represented by Certain Labor Organizations
President Obama established a three-member emergency board to investigate labor disputes between New Jersey Transit Rail and certain employee unions under the Railway Labor Act. The board must report within 30 days of creation, and both parties are prohibited from changing working conditions for 120 days from the board's creation.
Hostage Recovery Activities
This executive order creates a unified interagency structure for recovering U.S. nationals held hostage abroad, establishing the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell within the FBI, a Hostage Response Group at the National Security Council level, and a Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department. It mandates coordination across intelligence, law enforcement, diplomatic, and military agencies while maintaining the no-concessions policy.
Establishment of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center
This memorandum directs the Director of National Intelligence to establish the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC), a new intelligence organization to coordinate analysis and sharing of foreign cyber threat intelligence across federal agencies. The CTIIC is tasked with integrating all-source analysis, supporting existing cyber centers, developing intelligence sharing capabilities, and coordinating interagency responses to foreign cyber threats, with a goal of reaching full operating capability by the end of fiscal year 2016.
Promoting Private Sector Cybersecurity Information Sharing
This executive order encourages voluntary formation of Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations (ISAOs) to enable private sector cybersecurity information sharing with the federal government. It establishes a standards-setting process for ISAOs, designates DHS's NCCIC as a critical infrastructure protection program, and amends the National Industrial Security Program to facilitate classified information sharing with private sector partners under voluntary agreements.
Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input
This executive order establishes a new Federal Flood Risk Management Standard requiring federally funded projects to build above current base flood levels using climate-informed science, freeboard elevations, or 0.2% annual chance flood data. It amends Executive Order 11988 and mandates stakeholder consultation before implementation, with agencies required to submit implementation plans after public comment closes.
Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the Arctic
This executive order establishes an Arctic Executive Steering Committee to coordinate federal Arctic policy across agencies during the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council. It mandates improved interagency coordination, tribal consultation with Alaska Native governments, and a report identifying overlaps and gaps in Arctic policy implementation.
Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition
This executive order creates an interagency working group to review and standardize federal programs that provide military-style equipment to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The group must develop recommendations for controlled equipment lists, training requirements, civil rights compliance, and oversight mechanisms, with initial reports due in 60 days and final recommendations in 120 days.
Creating Welcoming Communities and Fully Integrating Immigrants and Refugees
This memorandum establishes the White House Task Force on New Americans, co-chaired by the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to develop a coordinated federal strategy for integrating immigrants and refugees into American communities. The Task Force must submit an Integration Plan within 120 days and a status report within one year, with responsibilities including reviewing agency policies, disseminating best practices, and measuring equitable access to services.
Modernizing and Streamlining the U.S. Immigrant Visa System for the 21st Century
This November 2014 presidential memorandum directs the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to develop, within 120 days, recommendations for modernizing and streamlining the U.S. legal immigration and visa system. The recommendations must address reducing government costs, improving applicant services, reducing employer burdens, ensuring full use of congressionally authorized visa numbers, and modernizing IT infrastructure, with input from diverse stakeholders.
Deepening U.S. Government Efforts To Collaborate With and Strengthen Civil Society
This 2014 presidential memorandum directs federal agencies engaged in foreign policy to strengthen collaboration with civil society organizations worldwide, oppose undue restrictions on civic freedoms, and integrate civil society consultation into U.S. diplomatic engagement. It requires annual reporting to the President on implementation progress.
Climate-Resilient International Development
This executive order requires federal agencies with international development programs to systematically integrate climate-resilience considerations into their strategies, planning, and funding decisions. It establishes a Working Group co-chaired by Treasury and USAID to develop guidelines, tools, and metrics, while also directing agencies to promote similar practices in multilateral development institutions.
Creating and Expanding Ladders of Opportunity for Boys and Young Men of Color
President Obama established the My Brother's Keeper Task Force, an interagency initiative chaired by the Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary with the Deputy Secretary of Education as Executive Director, to improve life outcomes for boys and young men of color through better coordination of federal programs, data sharing, and public-private partnerships. The Task Force is directed to create assessment tools, evaluate federal policy impacts, and report back with recommendations within 90 days and a status report within one year.
Streamlining the Export/Import Process for America's Businesses
This executive order directs federal agencies to modernize U.S. trade processing by completing the International Trade Data System (ITDS)—a "single window" for electronic submission of import/export data—by December 31, 2016. It establishes the Border Interagency Executive Council (BIEC) to coordinate cross-agency border management, streamline regulatory requirements, and improve supply chain efficiency while maintaining security and public health protections.
Job-Driven Training for Workers
This memorandum directs the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to develop within 180 days an action plan to reform federal workforce and training programs to be more "job-driven," emphasizing employer engagement, skills matching, accountability for employment outcomes, and better alignment across education and training systems. The Vice President is tasked with leading a government-wide review of relevant federal programs.
Establishing a White House Task Force To Protect Students From Sexual Assault
President Obama established a White House Task Force co-chaired by the Office of the Vice President and the White House Council on Women and Girls to coordinate federal efforts addressing campus sexual assault. The Task Force must develop recommendations within 90 days and provide annual implementation reports, focusing on improving institutional compliance, transparency, and evidence-based prevention practices at colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid.
Establishing a Quadrennial Energy Review
This memorandum establishes a Quadrennial Energy Review Task Force co-chaired by the OSTP and Domestic Policy Council directors to produce a comprehensive energy policy review every four years, with the first report due January 31, 2015 focusing on U.S. energy infrastructure challenges. The Task Force includes representatives from 23 agencies and is directed to engage stakeholders and recommend executive and legislative actions.
Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate Disputes Between the Long Island Rail Road Company and Certain of Its Employees Represented by Certain Labor Organizations
President Obama established a three-member emergency board to investigate labor disputes between the Long Island Rail Road and its unionized employees under the Railway Labor Act. The board was required to report within 30 days, during which time neither party could change working conditions for 120 days.
Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change
This executive order directs federal agencies to integrate climate change preparedness and resilience into their operations, programs, and investments. It establishes a new interagency Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, creates a State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force, mandates updated Agency Adaptation Plans, and requires modernization of federal programs to remove barriers to climate-resilient investment.
Expanding National Service Through Partnerships to Advance Government Priorities
This memorandum establishes an interagency Task Force on Expanding National Service, co-chaired by the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the Director of the Domestic Policy Council. It directs federal agencies to develop partnerships with CNCS to expand national service and volunteer opportunities aligned with the six focus areas of the Serve America Act, and requires specific reports and guidance within set timeframes.
Delegation of Certain Functions and Authorities Under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012
This memorandum delegates specific functions and authorities under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (IFCA) and amended provisions of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (CISADA) from the President to various cabinet secretaries and agency heads, primarily the Secretaries of Treasury and State, with detailed consultation requirements for imposing and implementing sanctions against Iran.
Authorizing the Implementation of Certain Sanctions Set Forth in the Iran Freedom and Counter- Proliferation Act of 2012 and Additional Sanctions With Respect To Iran
This executive order authorizes sanctions against foreign financial institutions and persons that conduct significant transactions related to Iranian currency, support designated Iranian persons, or supply goods and services to Iran's automotive sector. It implements provisions of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 and expands existing sanctions authorities, with the order taking effect on July 1, 2013.
Coordination of Policies and Programs To Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women and Girls Globally
This memorandum directs the Secretary of State to designate a Coordinator for global women's issues, who will normally also serve as an Ambassador at Large, to lead the Office of Global Women's Issues and coordinate U.S. efforts to promote gender equality and empower women and girls internationally. It establishes an interagency working group chaired by the National Security Advisor to coordinate government-wide implementation of these policies across multiple departments and agencies.
Establishment of an Interagency Task Force on Commercial Advocacy
This executive order creates an Interagency Task Force on Commercial Advocacy, chaired by the Secretary of Commerce, to coordinate federal support for U.S. businesses competing for international contracts against foreign firms. The Task Force brings together 15 agencies to prioritize advocacy cases, coordinate senior-level engagement with foreign officials, raise business awareness of available services, and report progress every 180 days.
Establishing the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council
This executive order creates the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council and its Steering Committee to institutionalize collaboration between federal field offices and local partners—including state/local/tribal governments, private sector, and nonprofits—to address homeland security challenges ranging from disaster response to terrorism prevention. The Council advises on priorities, promotes best practices, and convenes annually, while the Steering Committee sets its scope, selects members, and reports to the President yearly.
Authorizing the Implementation of Certain Sanctions Set Forth in the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 and Additional Sanctions With Respect to Iran
This executive order authorizes the Treasury and State Departments to implement sanctions against persons and entities supporting Iran's government, particularly those involved in human rights abuses, censorship, and petroleum trade. It blocks U.S.-controlled foreign entities from transactions with Iran that would be prohibited if done domestically, with a divestment deadline, and amends prior sanctions orders.
Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts
This executive order strengthens anti-trafficking rules for federal contractors and subcontractors by amending procurement regulations. It prohibits specific trafficking-related activities like fraudulent recruitment, charging recruitment fees, and confiscating identity documents; requires compliance plans for large overseas contracts; and mandates training and interagency coordination to enforce zero-tolerance policies.
Authorizing Additional Sanctions With Respect to Iran
This executive order authorizes additional U.S. sanctions targeting foreign financial institutions and persons that conduct significant transactions with Iran's petroleum, petrochemical, and energy sectors. It expands existing authorities to block property, restrict correspondent banking access, and impose trade and financial penalties on entities supporting Iran's oil industry or evading international sanctions.
Ensuring the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Protections
This memorandum directs federal agencies to strengthen compliance with USERRA, which protects service members from employment discrimination and ensures their reemployment rights. It establishes an interagency working group, mandates new guidance on data collection and best practices, and sets specific deadlines for reporting and implementation.
Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions
This executive order establishes a comprehensive framework for national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) communications, creating an interagency Executive Committee co-chaired by Defense and Homeland Security to coordinate survivable, resilient federal communications under all circumstances. It assigns specific responsibilities across multiple departments, revokes the prior Executive Order 12472 (1984), and mandates a 60-day organizational plan from Homeland Security.
Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources
This executive order creates an interagency working group chaired by the Domestic Policy Council Director to coordinate federal agency efforts supporting safe and responsible development of unconventional domestic natural gas resources, such as shale gas. It aims to streamline policy coordination across 13+ agencies while maintaining environmental and public health safeguards.
To Modify Duty-Free Treatment Under the Generalized System of Preferences and For Other Purposes
This proclamation suspends Argentina's duty-free trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for failing to enforce arbitral awards favoring U.S. citizens, while designating South Sudan as both a GSP beneficiary and least-developed beneficiary country. It also makes technical modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to implement CAFTA-DR provisions affecting Dominican Republic-Mexico trade rules, extend Haiti apparel duty-free treatment, and correct prior proclamation errors.
Establishing a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities
This executive order establishes a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) within HUD to coordinate federal technical assistance to local communities, helping them compete for federal resources and develop economic strategies. The Council is co-chaired by the HUD Secretary and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, with broad membership across federal agencies.
Maximizing the Effectiveness of Federal Programs and Functions Supporting Trade and Investment
This 2012 memorandum directs the Export Promotion Cabinet and Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee to better coordinate federal trade and investment programs, improve customer service for exporters through BusinessUSA, evaluate and recommend streamlining of trade-related budgets and programs, co-locate offices and cross-train staff, and develop administrative initiatives to support business competitiveness pending congressional reorganization authority. It aims to maximize efficiency of existing resources rather than create new programs, in service of doubling exports by 2014.
Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and the Task Force On Travel and Competitiveness
This executive order establishes visa processing targets to boost U.S. travel and tourism, including a 40% capacity increase in China and Brazil and 80% of applicants interviewed within 3 weeks. It also creates a Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness to develop a National Travel and Tourism Strategy within 90 days.
Instituting a National Action Plan On Women, Peace, And Security
This executive order establishes a National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, directing federal agencies to integrate gender-responsive approaches into diplomatic, development, and defense work in conflict-affected environments. It mandates State, Defense, and USAID to create implementation plans and requires periodic review with civil society consultation.
Authorizing the Imposition of Certain Sanctions With Respect to the Provision of Goods, Services, Technology, or Support for Iran's Energy and Petrochemical Sectors
This executive order authorizes sanctions against individuals and entities that provide goods, services, technology, or support above specified dollar thresholds to Iran's petroleum development or petrochemical production sectors. The sanctions include blocking property, financial restrictions, export denial, and government procurement bans, and took effect immediately on November 21, 2011.
Making It Easier for America's Small Businesses and America's Exporters to Access Government Services to Help Them Grow and Hire
This memorandum directs executive agencies to create BusinessUSA, a unified online platform to help small businesses and exporters navigate federal programs and services. It establishes a Steering Committee co-chaired by the Federal CIO, CTO, and Chief Performance Officer to oversee development of the platform within 90 days, with agencies required to integrate their information and services into this "No Wrong Door" system.
Establishing an Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes Between Certain Railroads Represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and Their Employees Represented by Certain Labor Organizations
President Obama established a five-member Emergency Board to investigate unresolved labor disputes between major freight railroads and their unions, triggered by a National Mediation Board finding that threatened strikes would disrupt interstate commerce. The board must report within 30 days, during which time both sides are barred from changing working conditions or striking.
Coordinating Policies on Automotive Communities and Workers
This executive order establishes a coordinated federal response to support automotive communities and workers recovering from the 2008-2009 industry collapse. It assigns the Secretary of Labor responsibility for coordinating interagency policies, advising the President on legislation, and conducting outreach to stakeholders. The order revokes the prior 2009 auto communities EO (13509), reflecting the shift from crisis response to sustained recovery coordination.
Establishment of the SelectUSA Initiative
This executive order establishes SelectUSA, a Department of Commerce-based initiative to coordinate federal efforts to attract and retain domestic and foreign business investment in the United States. It creates a Federal Interagency Investment Working Group spanning nearly every cabinet department and major economic agency to promote the U.S. as a business location, serve as an investment ombudsman, and provide information to investors.
Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and Accountable Government
This executive order establishes a Government Accountability and Transparency Board to expand anti-fraud tools and spending transparency across federal agencies, building on Recovery Act practices. It reinforces the Accountable Government Initiative by assigning performance reform responsibilities to agency Chief Operating Officers and Chief Financial Officers, with quarterly metric updates on performance.gov and monthly reporting on $2.1 billion in administrative cost savings targets.
Designation of Officers of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation To Act as President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
This memorandum establishes the order of succession for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) presidency, listing ten officers who would act as President if the incumbent dies, resigns, or becomes unable to serve. It revokes a 2009 Bush administration memorandum on the same subject and includes standard exceptions for acting officials and presidential discretion.
Establishment of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committees
This executive order establishes two interagency advisory committees—the Senior Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committee and the Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committee—to coordinate federal intellectual property enforcement efforts. Both committees are chaired by the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator and are tasked with developing triennial Joint Strategic Plans required under the PRO IP Act of 2008.
Presidential Determination on Sudan
This determination waives trade sanctions under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to allow U.S. export assistance for computers and related equipment supporting the UN's facilitation of the Southern Sudan referendum. The waiver is narrowly tailored to enable the January 2011 independence referendum required by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Establishing the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force
This executive order creates an intergovernmental task force to coordinate restoration of Gulf Coast ecosystems damaged by the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and address long-term ecological decline. The Task Force includes federal agencies, five Gulf State representatives, and tribal representatives, and is charged with developing a regional restoration strategy within one year.
Establishing a Task Force on Skills for America's Future
This memorandum establishes an interagency Task Force on Skills for America's Future, co-chaired by the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers and two White House policy assistants, to develop recommendations for improving workforce training partnerships between community colleges, businesses, labor unions, and other stakeholders. The Task Force is charged with identifying scalable approaches to career training, stackable credentials, and public-private partnerships, but has no dedicated funding or enforcement authority beyond voluntary agency coordination.
Delegation of Certain Functions and Authorities Under the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010
This memorandum delegates specific presidential authorities under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (as amended by CISADA) and CISADA itself to the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Commerce, Attorney General, U.S. Trade Representative, Federal Reserve Chairman, and Export-Import Bank President. It maintains a prior 1996 memorandum for certain provisions while reassigning others.
Freeze on Discretionary Awards, Bonuses, and Similar Payments for Federal Political Appointees
President Obama froze discretionary cash awards, bonuses, quality step increases, and similar payments for all politically appointed federal employees from August 3, 2010 through September 30, 2011 (end of Fiscal Year 2011). The Office of Personnel Management was directed to issue implementation guidance in consultation with OMB, while a broader salary freeze for senior political appointees was proposed as requiring congressional legislation.
Optimizing the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins in the United States
This executive order directs a risk-based overhaul of how the U.S. regulates dangerous biological agents and toxins (BSAT). It mandates creating a highest-risk "Tier 1" subset of pathogens, revising security regulations, coordinating federal oversight across multiple agencies, and establishing an advisory panel to guide implementation.
Establishing the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council
This executive order establishes the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council within HHS, chaired by the Surgeon General, to coordinate federal prevention and wellness efforts. It mandates development of a national health strategy and requires annual reports to Congress through 2015 on progress toward disease prevention goals.
Establishing an Interagency Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses
This memorandum creates an Interagency Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses, co-chaired by the Secretary of Commerce, OMB Director, and SBA Administrator. The Task Force must deliver proposals within 120 days to increase small business contracting, and a website for transparency must be developed within 90 days to track small business participation in federal procurement.
President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
This executive order establishes the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), a 21-member advisory body composed of the President's Science Advisor and 20 nonfederal experts, to advise the President on science, technology, and innovation policy. PCAST also assumes advisory roles under the High Performance Computing Act and the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, and will terminate automatically after two years unless extended.
Interagency Group on Insular Areas
This executive order establishes the Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA) within the Department of Interior to coordinate federal policy for Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The IGIA replaces a 2003 Bush-era body with a similar structure, co-chaired by the Interior Secretary and a White House intergovernmental affairs director, and is tasked with advising the President and consulting annually with territorial governors.
National Export Initiative
This executive order creates the National Export Initiative (NEI) to double U.S. exports over five years and establishes an Export Promotion Cabinet of cabinet-level officials and agency heads to coordinate federal export promotion efforts. The order directs the Cabinet to develop programs supporting small and medium-sized business exports, increase export credit, reduce trade barriers, and produce a comprehensive implementation plan within 180 days.
Establishing a Task Force on Childhood Obesity
This memorandum establishes a Task Force on Childhood Obesity chaired by the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, with membership from multiple Cabinet secretaries and agency heads. The Task Force is directed to develop and submit within 90 days a comprehensive interagency action plan to solve childhood obesity within a generation, though its functions are explicitly advisory only.
Original Classification Authority
This presidential order designates specific Executive Office and agency officials with authority to originally classify information as 'Top Secret' or 'Secret' under Executive Order 13526 on classified national security information. It revokes prior classification designations while preserving certain delegations made under the previous executive order regime.
Classified National Security Information
This executive order establishes a comprehensive uniform system for classifying, safeguarding, and declassifying national security information. It sets specific standards for original classification, mandates automatic declassification of most records after 25 years, prohibits classification to conceal wrongdoing or embarrassment, and creates oversight mechanisms including the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel and the National Declassification Center.
Establishing the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues
This executive order establishes a 13-member Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues within HHS to advise the President on ethical questions arising from biomedical and technological advances. The Commission is authorized to conduct research, hold hearings, and issue policy recommendations but cannot approve specific research projects. It is initially set to terminate after two years unless extended by the President.
Tribal Consultation
This memorandum directs all federal agency heads to develop detailed plans for implementing Executive Order 13175 on tribal consultation, with progress reports due thereafter. It mandates OMB review and a presidential report within one year to strengthen government-to-government relationships with Indian tribes.
Amendments to Executive Orders 13183 and 13494
This executive order makes two changes: it expands the mission of the Presidential Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status to include promoting job creation, education, health care, clean energy, and economic development on the islands, and requires a report within one year; and it amends an earlier Obama EO to clarify that contractor costs for labor-management relations (excluding union organizing activities) are allowable costs in federal contracts.
Establishing a White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers
This executive order creates a White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers to coordinate federal assistance for areas hit hard by auto industry job losses. The council includes cabinet secretaries and senior officials across multiple agencies, and is tasked with aligning federal programs to support automotive workers and communities. It automatically terminates after two years unless extended by the President.
Classified Information and Controlled Unclassified Information
This memorandum directs two major reviews: first, a 90-day review of Executive Order 12958 on classified national security information to recommend reforms including a National Declassification Center and measures against over-classification; second, creation of an Interagency Task Force on Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) led by the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to review procedures for sensitive but unclassified information and report recommendations within 90 days. Both initiatives aim to increase government transparency while protecting legitimate security and privacy interests.
Establishing a White House Council on Women And Girls
This executive order creates a White House Council on Women and Girls to coordinate federal policy across agencies on issues affecting women and girls, including pay equity, healthcare access, educational opportunity, and workforce participation. The Council is advisory, composed of Cabinet secretaries and senior officials, and must submit an interagency plan within 150 days.
Establishment of the White House Office of Urban Affairs
This executive order creates the White House Office of Urban Affairs within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate federal urban policy across departments and agencies. The Office is tasked with developing a comprehensive urban policy agenda, ensuring federal spending in urban areas is effective, and engaging with state/local officials and private stakeholders.
Amendments to Executive Order 13199 and Establishment of the President's Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
This executive order renames and restructures the White House faith-based initiative, establishing the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. It adds constitutional safeguards regarding religion clauses, emphasizes accountability and measurable results for federally funded services, and creates a 25-member advisory council with a 2-year sunset provision.
White House Task Force on Middle-Class Working Families
President Obama established a White House Task Force on Middle-Class Working Families, chaired by Vice President Biden, to recommend policies on education, work-family balance, labor standards, income protection, and retirement security. The Task Force includes cabinet secretaries and senior White House economic advisors, with annual public reports required starting one year from signing.
Pay Freeze
President Obama freezes salaries of senior White House staff members during the economic recession, directing the Chief of Staff to report back within 30 days with implementation recommendations. The freeze applies 'until further notice' and is framed as a symbolic shared sacrifice during severe economic stress.
Transparency and Open Government
This memorandum establishes principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration as core values for the Obama Administration and directs the CTO, OMB Director, and GSA Administrator to develop within 120 days recommendations for an Open Government Directive that would instruct agencies to take specific implementing actions.
Presidential Records
This executive order revokes Bush-era EO 13233 and establishes procedures for asserting executive privilege over presidential records held by NARA. It creates a structured process where both incumbent and former presidents can claim privilege, with specific review roles for the Attorney General, White House Counsel, and Archivist, and sets 30-day notice periods before disclosure.
Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel
This executive order requires all executive branch appointees hired on or after January 20, 2009, to sign a binding ethics pledge that imposes a two-year revolving door ban between lobbying and government service, prohibits gifts from registered lobbyists, bars departing appointees from lobbying the administration, and mandates merit-based hiring decisions. The order establishes enforcement mechanisms including civil penalties and debarment, with waiver authority vested in the OMB Director.