Executive Order 13917-Delegating Authority Under the Defense Production Act of 1950 With Respect to Food Supply Chain Resources During the National Emergency Caused by the Outbreak of COVID-19
Issued 2020-04-28 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
Executive Order 13917, issued by President Donald J. Trump on April 27, 2020, delegates authority under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to the Secretary of Agriculture. This order directs the Secretary to take appropriate action to ensure that meat and poultry processors continue their operations, consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The action is intended to affect processors of beef, pork, and poultry, and ultimately aims to ensure a continued supply of protein for Americans.
The President stated that the COVID-19 outbreak and necessary mitigation measures significantly disrupted American lives and impacted the economy and critical infrastructure. Outbreaks among workers at some processing facilities reduced their production capacity, and some facilities faced complete closure due to state actions. These closures were seen as threatening the national meat and poultry supply chain, which was deemed critical infrastructure during the national
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Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13917 ("Executive Order 13917-Delegating Authority Under the Defense Production Act of 1950 With Respect to Food Supply Chain Resources During the National Emergency Caused by the Outbreak of COVID-19") addresses military affairs or arms policy. The President's stated rationale: "meat and poultry in the food supply chain meet the criteria specified in section 101(b) of the Act (50 U." As Commander in Chief under Article II, Section 2, the President has substantial constitutional authority over military operations, arms transfers, and defense policy. The Arms Export Control Act and related statutes delegate additional authority for approving foreign military sales.
The President's authority here is among the strongest in foreign affairs — courts have traditionally given broad deference to executive decisions in military and national security matters. However, Congress retains oversight through appropriations, War Powers Resolution limits, and statutory frameworks for arms transfers that include notification requirements and congressional review periods.
Official Summary
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