Executive Order 13500-Further Amendments to Executive Order 12859, Establishment of the Domestic Policy Council
Issued 2009-02-05 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
Executive Order 13500 updates the membership of the Domestic Policy Council, a White House advisory body originally established in 1993. The order makes several changes to the list of presidential staff who serve on the council. It replaces some existing positions with new ones, including swapping out a Senior Advisor for Policy Development for an Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, and replacing an AIDS Policy Coordinator with a Chief Technology Officer. It also adds two new members: the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
This action affects the composition of the Domestic Policy Council, which is part of the White House Office. The changes reflect the Obama administration's priorities by adding positions focused on energy, climate change, and technology to the council's membership while removing or replacing other advisory roles.
The order matters because it shapes which presidential advisors participate in domestic policy discussions within the White House. Under Article II of the Constitution, presidents have authority to manage the executive branch and organize their advisory bodies, though the constitutionality of such reorganizations can be debated when they go beyond creating internal White House structures.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13500 ("Executive Order 13500-Further Amendments to Executive Order 12859, Establishment of the Domestic Policy Council") restructures or establishes federal entities. The President has authority to manage the executive branch under Article II, including creating task forces, councils, and working groups within the White House. However, creating independent agencies with binding regulatory authority, or fundamentally restructuring congressionally created departments, typically requires legislative authorization.
The Reorganization Act historically provided a framework for executive reorganization subject to congressional review. Current reorganization authority is more limited. The constitutionality depends on whether this order creates White House advisory bodies (acceptable) or attempts to restructure agencies in ways that conflict with their enabling statutes (questionable).
Official Summary
Administration of Barack H. Obama, 2009 Executive Order 13500—Further Amendments to Executive Order 12859, Establishment of the Domestic Policy Council February 5, 2009 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: Executive Order 12859 of August 16, 1993, as amended, is further amended by making the following revisions in section 2: (a) striking "(u) Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of National Service;" and inserting in lieu thereof "(u) Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison;"; (b) striking "(v) Senior Advisor to the President for Policy Development;" and inserting in lieu thereof "(v) Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change;"; (c) striking "(x) AIDS Policy Coordinator; and" inserting in lieu thereof "(x) Assistant to the President and Chief Technology Officer;"; (d) inserting "(y) Chief Executive Officer, Corporation for National and C