February 18, 2025 Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies - Executive Order
- Fact Seeker
- Feb 20
- 2 min read
This executive order strengthens Presidential oversight over executive and independent regulatory agencies to ensure they align with the President’s policies and priorities. It mandates that agencies submit significant regulatory actions for White House review, enhances accountability measures for independent agencies, and reinforces the President’s authority over legal interpretations within the executive branch.
Key Actions and Requirements:
Presidential Supervision of Regulatory Agencies:
Independent regulatory agencies, which have traditionally operated with minimal Presidential oversight, must now be subject to Presidential review and control to ensure accountability.
The order mandates that agencies submit all significant regulations to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) before publication.
Expanded OIRA Review of Agency Regulations:
The order amends Executive Order 12866 to broaden the definition of "agency" to include independent regulatory agencies such as the Federal Election Commission (excluding the monetary policy functions of the Federal Reserve).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will provide guidance to agencies on implementing these new review requirements.
Performance Standards for Independent Agencies:
The Director of OMB will set performance standards and management objectives for independent regulatory agencies and report to the President on their efficiency.
Budgetary Control Over Independent Agencies:
OMB will review spending by independent agencies and adjust funding allocations to ensure consistency with the President’s policies.
This could include prohibiting expenditures on activities that do not align with Presidential priorities, as long as it is within legal limits.
Enhanced White House Coordination with Regulatory Agencies:
Heads of independent regulatory agencies must consult with and coordinate policies with the OMB, the White House Domestic Policy Council, and the White House National Economic Council.
Agencies must establish a White House Liaison position to facilitate direct communication with the administration.
Strategic plans from these agencies must receive OMB approval before finalization.
Presidential and Attorney General Authority on Legal Interpretations:
The President and the Attorney General will provide authoritative legal interpretations for the executive branch.
No agency employee may issue an official legal interpretation that contradicts the President or Attorney General’s position without explicit authorization.
Implementation and Limitations:
The order does not affect existing legal authorities of executive agencies or OMB’s budgetary role.
It must be implemented within the bounds of existing laws and funding availability.
The order does not create new legal rights enforceable against the U.S. government.
Conclusion:
This order significantly increases Presidential oversight and accountability over independent regulatory agencies, requiring them to align with White House priorities. It centralizes regulatory decision-making, enhances budgetary control, and reinforces the President’s authority over legal interpretations within the executive branch.
Writer's Note: Summary made with the use of AI tools for editing and quick processing, facts checked against the order before publishing.
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