Executive Order 13715-Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay
Issued 2015-12-18 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
Executive Order 13715 adjusts the pay rates for various categories of federal workers. The order updates salaries for several groups including employees under statutory pay systems, members of the Senior Executive Service, Foreign Service personnel, and staff in the Veterans Health Administration. It also sets pay rates for high-level officials including the Vice President and members of Congress, federal judges, and members of the uniformed services (military personnel). Additionally, the order establishes locality-based comparability payments, which adjust federal salaries based on geographic location, and sets rates for administrative law judges.
This executive action affects a broad range of federal employees across all three branches of government, from military service members to congressional staff to federal judges. The pay adjustments are implemented through attached schedules that specify the exact rates for each category of worker, with most changes taking effect on the first day of the first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2016.
The order cites specific sections of federal law that govern pay adjustments for federal employees, indicating the President is exercising authority that Congress has delegated through these statutes. This type of annual pay adjustment order is routine administrative action that implements existing pay laws rather than creating new policy.
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Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13715 addresses "Executive Order 13715-Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay". 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, 2015 Executive Order 13715—Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay December 18, 2015 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1 . Statutory Pay Systems . The rates of basic pay or salaries of the statutory pay systems (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5302(1)), as adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5303, are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof: (a) The General Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5332(a)) at Schedule 1; (b) The Foreign Service Schedule (22 U.S.C. 3963) at Schedule 2; and (c) The schedules for the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. 7306, 7404; section 301(a) of Public Law 102–40) at Schedule 3. Sec. 2 . Senior Executive Service . The ranges of rates of basic pay for senior executives in the Senior Executive Service, as established pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5382, are set forth on Schedule 4 attached hereto and made a part hereof. Sec. 3 . Certain Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries . The rates of basic pay or salaries for the following offices and positions are set forth on the schedules attached