Executive Order 13714-Strengthening the Senior Executive Service
Issued 2015-12-15 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
Executive Order 13714 focuses on improving how the federal government recruits, hires, and develops its Senior Executive Service members—the career officials who hold top leadership positions in federal agencies. The order aims to make it easier to maintain experienced executives across different presidential administrations, reduce unnecessary paperwork for people applying for these positions, and find better ways to identify the most capable candidates. It also emphasizes supporting and rewarding high-performing executives while strengthening accountability and keeping the system free from improper political influence.
The order affects career members of the Senior Executive Service across federal agencies. It establishes a subcommittee under the President's Management Council to oversee these reforms and monitor their implementation. The changes will roll out in three phases starting in fiscal year 2016, with different groups of agencies adopting the new practices each year. The order also continues support for diversity and inclusion efforts in recruiting and developing senior executives, consistent with merit-based principles.
This executive order operates under the President's constitutional authority to direct how the executive branch implements existing laws passed by Congress. It represents a routine exercise of presidential power to improve management practices across federal agencies, as long as it stays within the boundaries of current statutory authority and doesn't contradict what Congress has mandated.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13714 ("Executive Order 13714-Strengthening the Senior Executive Service") directs federal agencies on implementation of existing law. The President's stated goal: "strengthen the recruitment, hiring, and development of the Federal Government's senior executives; I hereby order as follows: Section 1 ." Under Article II's "Take Care" clause, the President has constitutional authority to direct how the executive branch enforces the laws Congress has enacted. Setting agency priorities, establishing implementation frameworks, and coordinating action across departments are core presidential functions.
As long as this order operates within existing statutory authority and does not contradict congressional mandates, it is a routine exercise of executive power. The order's legal weight depends on the specific statutes it invokes and how it directs agencies to interpret their mandates. Subordinate agencies must follow presidential direction, but only to the extent consistent with their underlying statutory authority.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 Executive Order 13714—Strengthening the Senior Executive Service December 15, 2015 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, in order to strengthen the recruitment, hiring, and development of the Federal Government's senior executives; I hereby order as follows: Section 1 . Policy . It is in the national interest to facilitate career executive continuity between administrations; to increase senior leadership attention to, and involvement in, executive recruitment; to reduce unnecessary burdens on applicants for executive positions; and to efficiently document demonstrated executive experience. Furthermore, it is imperative to periodically explore and promote new selection methods that effectively and efficiently identify the most capable and talented candidates for executive leadership positions to enhance the breadth and diversity of experiences among our Federal executives; to better support, recognize, and reward our executives, especially our top performers; and to strengthen executive accountability, all while maintaining a system that is focused on the public interest and free from improper political influence. An important aspect of strengthening our Senior Executive Service