Secretary of Labor
Executive orders directing the Secretary of Labor · 40 in Trump 45 · 255 all terms.
Related departments
Orders
40 shown · Trump 45
Suspension of Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Who Continue To Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
This proclamation extends through March 31, 2021 two prior COVID-19-related immigration suspensions: Proclamation 10014 (immigrant entry) and Proclamation 10052 (nonimmigrant worker entry). It requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretaries of State and Labor, to recommend modifications every 30 days.
Increasing Economic and Geographic Mobility
This executive order directs federal agencies to review their occupational licensing regulations and policies to reduce barriers to worker mobility, particularly for military spouses and individuals with criminal records. It establishes six principles for state-level occupational licensing reform and creates a reporting system to identify and reward states that adopt less restrictive licensing requirements.
Protecting Jobs, Economic Opportunities, and National Security for All Americans by Ensuring Appropriate Support of Innovative Technologies for Using Our Domestic Natural Resources
This October 31, 2020 memorandum directs the Secretary of Energy to produce two reports within 70 days assessing the economic, trade, and national security impacts of banning or restricting hydraulic fracturing and related technologies. It also directs OMB to review agency compliance with Executive Order 13211 (energy effects statements for regulations) and identify priority agencies within 30 days.
Establishing the One Trillion Trees Interagency Council
This executive order creates the United States One Trillion Trees Interagency Council, co-chaired by the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture, to coordinate federal efforts supporting the World Economic Forum's global initiative to grow and conserve one trillion trees by 2030. The Council is tasked with developing tracking methodologies, identifying legal barriers, finding funding opportunities, and requiring member agencies to report regularly on tree-related activities.
Modernizing America's Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure
This executive order establishes a Water Subcabinet co-chaired by the Interior Secretary and EPA Administrator to coordinate federal water resource management across agencies. It mandates reports and recommendations to reduce duplication among hundreds of federal water working groups, improve water storage and quality, modernize infrastructure planning, and address workforce shortages in the water sector through fiscal year 2025 milestones.
Saving Lives Through Increased Support for Mental- and Behavioral-Health Needs
This executive order establishes a Coronavirus Mental Health Working Group to coordinate federal response to pandemic-exacerbated mental and behavioral health issues, including suicide prevention and substance abuse. It directs agencies to encourage grantees to adopt policies supporting safe in-person and telehealth mental health services, and requires a coordinated plan within 45 days.
An America-First Healthcare Plan
This executive order declares a continuation of healthcare policies emphasizing patient choice, lower costs, and quality care, with specific directives to maintain existing actions and new deadlines for price transparency and surprise billing measures. It requires HHS to work with Congress on surprise billing legislation by year-end 2020, take administrative action if legislation fails, and update Medicare.gov Hospital Compare within 180 days with hospital billing quality information.
Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping
This executive order prohibits federal agencies, uniformed services, contractors, and grant recipients from conducting or funding workplace training that promotes certain "divisive concepts" related to race and sex stereotyping, including the ideas that the U.S. is fundamentally racist or sexist, that individuals are inherently oppressive based on race or sex, or that meritocracy is racist. It mandates contract clauses, establishes a hotline for complaints, requires agency reviews and reporting, and imposes potential debarment and adverse personnel actions for noncompliance.
Aligning Federal Contracting and Hiring Practices With the Interests of American Workers
This executive order directs federal agencies to review their 2018-2019 contracts for use of temporary foreign labor and offshoring, and requires the Labor and Homeland Security Departments to take action within 45 days to protect U.S. workers from adverse effects caused by H-1B visa holders at job sites. The order aims to prioritize American workers in federal contracting and hiring, particularly during COVID-19 economic disruption.
White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative
This executive order establishes the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative within the Department of Education and creates a 20-member presidential advisory commission to improve Hispanic Americans' access to educational and economic opportunities. The Initiative and Commission are tasked with promoting workforce development, strengthening Hispanic-Serving Institutions, fostering public-private partnerships, and advising the President on policies affecting Hispanic American prosperity.
Suspension of Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Who Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
This proclamation extends and expands a prior COVID-19 immigration suspension, barring entry of certain immigrants and nonimmigrants (H-1B, H-2B, J, and L visa holders) through December 31, 2020, to protect U.S. workers during pandemic-related economic recovery. It amends Proclamation 10014 to extend its expiration date and adds new restrictions on temporary worker categories, with exceptions for lawful permanent residents, certain family members of U.S. citizens, food supply workers, and those deemed in the national interest.
Establishment of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force Under Section 741 of the United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act
This executive order establishes the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of Homeland Security, to monitor U.S. enforcement of the ban on importing goods made with forced labor under the Tariff Act of 1930. The Task Force includes representatives from State, Treasury, Justice, Labor, and USTR, and will make decisions by consensus or majority vote on actions under sections 742-744 of the USMCA Implementation Act.
Establishment of the Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement Under Section 711 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act
This executive order establishes the Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement, co-chaired by the USTR and Secretary of Labor, to coordinate U.S. efforts in monitoring labor obligations of Canada and Mexico under the USMCA trade agreement and Mexico's labor reform, and to recommend enforcement actions. The Committee includes representatives from seven agencies plus optional additional participants, operates by consensus, and requires each agency to fund its own participation with DOL specifically funding a required hotline.
Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
This proclamation suspends entry of most immigrants into the United States for 60 days, effective April 23, 2020, citing COVID-19's economic impact and high unemployment. It exempts lawful permanent residents, healthcare workers, EB-5 investors, spouses and children of U.S. citizens, military members, and others deemed in the national interest.
Making General Use Respirators Available
This March 11, 2020 memorandum directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to take all appropriate steps to facilitate emergency use of general use respirators by healthcare personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, using authorities under the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It also directs the Secretary of Labor to consider steps to increase respirator availability.
Establishment of the Interagency Committee on Trade in Automotive Goods Under Section 202A of the United States Mexico Canada Agreement Implementation Act
This executive order establishes an Interagency Committee on Trade in Automotive Goods to advise on implementing USMCA automotive provisions, including rules of origin and an alternative staging regime. The Committee is chaired by USTR and includes Commerce, Labor, USITC, CBP, and Treasury, with authority to make recommendations by consensus or majority vote.
Combating Human Trafficking and Online Child Exploitation in the United States
This executive order establishes combating human trafficking and online child exploitation as an executive branch priority, creating a dedicated Domestic Policy Council position, directing improved prevalence estimates, enhancing interagency coordination for prosecution, and mandating proposals to overcome information-sharing barriers for detecting child sexual abuse material online. It also directs victim protection efforts including housing strategies and prevention education partnerships with schools.
Improving Federal Contractor Operations by Revoking Executive Order 13495
This executive order revokes Executive Order 13495 (2009), which had required successor federal contractors to offer existing service contract employees a right of first refusal for jobs. It directs immediate termination of related enforcement actions and rescission of implementing regulations.
Establishing a White House Council on Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing
This executive order creates a White House Council chaired by HUD to identify and reduce federal, state, local, and tribal regulatory barriers to affordable housing development. The Council must report within 12 months on its findings and recommendations, and is scheduled to terminate on January 21, 2021 unless extended.
Improving Price and Quality Transparency in American Healthcare To Put Patients First
This executive order directs federal agencies to increase healthcare price and quality transparency through new regulations requiring hospitals to post prices, expand patient access to cost estimates before care, develop common quality measures across government health programs, and increase access to de-identified health data. It also seeks to expand health savings account flexibility and address surprise medical billing.
America's Cybersecurity Workforce
This executive order establishes programs to grow and strengthen the federal and national cybersecurity workforce through rotational assignments, skills assessments, competitions, and education awards. It mandates adoption of the NICE Framework for cybersecurity skills standards across government contracts and encourages its voluntary use in private-sector and academic training. The order also creates reporting mechanisms and deadlines for multiple agencies to assess workforce gaps and implement workforce development initiatives.
Promoting Energy Infrastructure and Economic Growth
This executive order directs federal agencies to streamline permitting and reduce regulatory barriers for energy infrastructure projects, particularly oil, gas, and LNG facilities. It mandates specific rulemakings and guidance updates regarding Clean Water Act Section 401 certifications, LNG safety regulations and rail transport, rights-of-way renewals on federal lands, and requires multiple reports on regional energy market barriers and investment trends.
Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities
This executive order directs federal agencies to tie higher education grant funding to campus free speech protections and mandates new transparency tools for student borrowers. It requires the Education Department to launch a loan information website by January 1, 2020, expand the College Scorecard with program-level earnings and debt data, and report on risk-sharing options for student loans.
National Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End Suicide
This executive order establishes a presidential task force to create a comprehensive national roadmap (PREVENTS) aimed at ending veteran suicide through improved coordination between federal, state, local, tribal, and private-sector partners. It mandates development of a community integration proposal, a national research strategy, and an implementation plan within one year, with the task force continuing for two years afterward to monitor progress.
Establishing the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council
This executive order establishes the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, chaired by the Secretary of HUD, to coordinate across federal agencies to promote investment in economically distressed communities and qualified opportunity zones created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Council is tasked with assessing agency actions, streamlining regulations, and producing multiple reports with recommendations for statutory and regulatory changes.
Strengthening Retirement Security in America
This executive order directs federal agencies to reduce regulatory barriers that discourage employers—especially small businesses—from offering workplace retirement plans. It specifically tasks the Departments of Labor and Treasury with examining and potentially rulemaking on multiple employer plans (MEPs), simplifying required retirement plan disclosures, and updating required minimum distribution tables to reflect longer life expectancies.
Establishing the President's National Council for the American Worker
This executive order creates the President's National Council for the American Worker, co-chaired by the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and an economic advisor, to develop a national workforce development strategy. It also establishes a 25-member private-sector American Workforce Policy Advisory Board to advise the Council, with both bodies tasked to address skills gaps, promote apprenticeships, and align education with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
Streamlining Regulations on Commercial Use of Space
This 2018 Space Policy Directive directs multiple Cabinet secretaries and agency heads to streamline federal regulations governing commercial space activities, including launch/re-entry licensing, remote sensing, spectrum policy, and export controls. It sets specific deadlines for regulatory reviews, legislative proposals, and reports to reduce burdens on the U.S. commercial space sector while protecting public safety and national security.
Enhancing Noncompetitive Civil Service Appointments of Military Spouses
This executive order directs federal agencies to actively recruit and hire military spouses using existing noncompetitive appointment authority. It requires OPM to promote this hiring authority, provide training, and collect annual data on military spouse hiring, while also exploring telework options and license portability to address employment barriers caused by frequent relocations.
Task Force on the United States Postal System
This executive order establishes a Task Force on the United States Postal Service, chaired by the Treasury Secretary, to evaluate USPS operations and finances and recommend reforms. The Task Force must submit a report within 120 days addressing USPS financial sustainability, competitive position in package delivery, and potential restructuring to avoid a taxpayer bailout.
Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility
This executive order directs federal agencies to review welfare programs and regulations to promote work requirements, reduce bureaucracy, and increase state flexibility in administering public assistance. It establishes nine 'Principles of Economic Mobility' and mandates specific agency reviews and reports within 90 days.
Federal Interagency Council on Crime Prevention and Improving Reentry
This executive order establishes a Federal Interagency Council on Crime Prevention and Improving Reentry, co-chaired by the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and a White House innovation advisor. The Council is tasked with developing evidence-based recommendations to reduce crime, lower recidivism, and improve reentry outcomes through coordination across 11 federal agencies, with initial and full reports due within 90 days and one year respectively. The order revokes a 2016 Obama memorandum on reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals and automatically terminates after three years.
Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States
This executive order directs federal agencies to consider regulatory changes expanding access to association health plans, short-term limited-duration insurance, and health reimbursement arrangements as alternatives to ACA-compliant coverage. It also requires biennial reports on barriers to healthcare competition and choice.
Assessing and Strengthening the Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base and Supply Chain Resiliency of the United States
This executive order directs a comprehensive assessment of U.S. manufacturing capacity, defense industrial base, and supply chain resiliency to identify vulnerabilities and recommend policy changes. The Secretary of Defense must deliver a report within 270 days evaluating critical materials, manufacturing gaps, workforce skills, foreign supply dependencies, and contingency risks.
Expanding Apprenticeships in America
This executive order promotes apprenticeships as an alternative to traditional higher education by establishing industry-recognized apprenticeship programs, creating a federal task force, and requiring agencies to evaluate and potentially eliminate ineffective workforce development programs. It directs multiple cabinet departments to expand apprenticeship access for students, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and workers in critical sectors like manufacturing and cybersecurity.
Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure
This executive order mandates federal agencies to adopt the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and modernize IT infrastructure, while directing multiple cabinet departments to assess and report on cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure, deterrence strategies, international cooperation, and workforce development. It establishes accountability for agency heads in managing cybersecurity risk and requires extensive reports on federal IT modernization, botnet resilience, electricity grid vulnerabilities, and defense industrial base risks.
Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty
This executive order establishes religious freedom as a priority across the executive branch, directs Treasury to avoid penalizing religious organizations for political speech, and orders three Cabinet secretaries to consider amending regulations for conscience objections to the ACA preventive-care mandate. It also tasks the Attorney General with issuing guidance on religious liberty protections in federal law.
Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America
This executive order establishes an Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity, chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture with 21+ agency heads as members. The Task Force must identify and recommend legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to promote agriculture, economic development, and quality of life in rural America, submitting a report within 180 days. It also revokes the Obama-era White House Rural Council (EO 13575).
Buy American and Hire American
This executive order establishes a dual policy to maximize domestic procurement preferences under existing Buy American laws and to rigorously enforce immigration laws governing foreign workers, particularly the H-1B visa program. It mandates multiple agency assessments and reports on procurement practices and trade agreement impacts, while directing immigration agencies to propose new rules protecting U.S. workers and reforming H-1B visa allocation toward higher-skilled or higher-paid beneficiaries.
Fiduciary Duty Rule
This memorandum directs the Secretary of Labor to review the Obama-era Fiduciary Duty Rule, which expanded the definition of 'fiduciary' for retirement investment advice. The Secretary must examine whether the rule harms investors by reducing access to retirement advice and services, and if so, propose rescinding or revising it.