Executive Order 13759-Designating the World Organisation for Animal Health as a Public International Organization Entitled To Enjoy Certain Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities
Issued 2017-01-12 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
This executive order officially designates the World Organisation for Animal Health (also known by its historical acronym OIE) as a public international organization entitled to certain privileges, exemptions, and immunities under U.S. law. The order invokes the International Organizations Immunities Act, a law that allows the President to grant such status to international organizations in which the United States participates. By making this designation, the order grants this animal health organization the legal protections and benefits provided under that Act.
This designation affects the World Organisation for Animal Health itself, giving it a formal legal status in the United States similar to other international organizations. The order states that the designation does not take away any privileges or immunities the organization may already have or might acquire through other means.
The order is a procedural action that recognizes an existing international organization's role and grants it specific legal status under federal law. It includes standard provisions clarifying that it does not override the authority of other executive departments or create new legal rights for private parties to sue the government.
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Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13759 addresses "Executive Order 13759-Designating the World Organisation for Animal Health as a Public International Organization Entitled To Enjoy Certain Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities". Executive orders are a long-established exercise of presidential power, used by every President since George Washington. They are grounded in Article II of the Constitution, which vests executive power in the President and directs them to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."
Executive orders cannot create new law, contradict existing federal statutes, or exceed the President's constitutional authority. The legitimacy of any specific order depends on whether it operates within statutory authority Congress has delegated, directs the executive branch on matters within its constitutional purview, or attempts to substitute executive policy for legislative choices. Courts can and do review executive orders for conformity with the Constitution and federal law.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2017 Executive Order 13759—Designating the World Organisation for Animal Health as a Public International Organization Entitled To Enjoy Certain Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities January 12, 2017 Section 1 . Designation . By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 1 of the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288), and having found that the World Organisation for Animal Health (also known by its historical acronym OIE) is a public international organization in which the United States participates within the meaning of the International Organizations Immunities Act, I hereby designate the World Organisation for Animal Health as a public international organization entitled to enjoy the privileges, exemptions, and immunities provided by the International Organizations Immunities Act. This designation is not intended to abridge in any respect privileges, exemptions, or immunities that such organization otherwise may have acquired or may acquire by law. Sec. 2 . General Provisions . (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (1) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or