MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
THE SECRETARY OF LABOR
THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION
THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OF STAFF
THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS
THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY
THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR DOMESTIC POLICY
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR ECONOMIC POLICY
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR
THE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND PRESS SECRETARY
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER OF THE UNITED STATES
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND NATIONAL CLIMATE ADVISOR
THE COORDINATOR OF THE COVID-19 RESPONSE
THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE GENDER POLICY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Organization of the Domestic Policy Council System
To assist the President in carrying out his responsibilities in the area of domestic policy, I hereby direct the establishment of a Domestic Policy Council (DPC) system, consistent with Executive Order 12859 of August 16, 1993 (Establishment of the Domestic Policy Council), and organized as follows.
Section 1. Intent and Process. Bringing greater dignity, equity, opportunity, and prosperity to the day-to-day lives of all Americans requires the mobilization and extensive coordination of a broad range of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to tackle the profound and multifaceted challenges our country faces and to seize the opportunities before us. Domestic policy, whether the related issues fall largely within the purview of a single agency or implicate multiple agencies, must be developed and coordinated through a systematic, evidence-driven process that will ensure that all major priorities are addressed, the views of all relevant agencies are considered, appropriate options are analyzed, and all policies and programs are subject to regular review, using to the extent possible clear metrics and timelines. It is also imperative that domestic, economic, climate, and national security policy be aligned and mutually reinforcing to benefit the American people.
To that end, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy (APDP) shall coordinate an interagency process that provides domestic policy advice to the President and ensures that the President’s stated domestic policy goals are effectively implemented. This process will:
(a) identify priority issues, problems, and opportunities that require Presidential policy guidance or decision;
(b) analyze the identified issues, problems, and opportunities systematically, drawing on both governmental and non-governmental sources of information through a rigorous process in which all relevant viewpoints are taken into account;
(c) bring agencies together to identify and evaluate policy and programmatic options;
(d) recommend new or modified policy initiatives for consideration;
(e) clearly articulate Presidential policy, including budgetary implications and implementation plans; and
(f) review on a regular basis the implementation, delivery, and efficacy of domestic policies and programs, including the possible need for any modifications or adjustments to achieve policy objectives.
The DPC shall lead interagency policy processes on a wide range of issues, including but not limited to those related to health care and public health; substance use disorders; racial equity and justice; gender equity and justice; criminal justice reform; native affairs; disability policy; LGBTQ+ policy; immigration; veterans; education; faith-based and community initiatives; gun policy and community safety; poverty reduction; domestic human trafficking; youth policy; disadvantaged and marginalized communities; labor and workforce development; the caregiving economy; agriculture; food security and nutrition; rural, suburban, and urban affairs; housing; strengthening American democracy; national service; the United States Postal Service; and the census. It shall also coordinate interagency processes to support the work of various task forces, commissions, councils, and other advisory or policymaking bodies that the President establishes to address matters of domestic policy.
The DPC shall work in close coordination with the National Economic Council, the National Security Council, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Gender Policy Council, the COVID-19 Response Coordinator and Counselor to the President (COVID-19 Response Coordinator), the White House Climate Office, and other White House offices and officials to ensure integrated policymaking processes, as appropriate.
Sec. 2. Domestic Policy Council Structure. The Domestic Policy Council shall have a four-tiered structure of interagency bodies coordinated by the APDP to undertake policy development, ensure implementation, and manage coordination with agencies as may be required. The system shall include the DPC chaired by the President; a Principals Committee (PC); a Deputies Committee (DC); and Interagency Policy Committees (IPCs). The APDP may request DPC members and the heads of other agencies to provide reports to ensure the effective execution of policy, identification of possible policy modifications, and advice to the President, as appropriate. The Executive Secretary of the DPC shall assist the APDP in performing these functions.
(a) The Interagency Policy Committees (IPCs) shall be the day-to-day fora for interagency development, coordination, and review of domestic policy. They shall provide policy analysis for consideration by the PC and DC and shall ensure timely responses to Presidential policy direction. The IPCs shall convene on a regular basis to generate policy recommendations to the PC and DC as well as to coordinate and review the implementation of Presidential decisions in their policy areas.
The IPCs shall be composed of representatives from all relevant agencies. Agencies with membership in the IPCs shall routinely be represented in these meetings at a senior level by officials with significant management and policymaking responsibilities. The APDP shall designate the agencies that shall be represented at each IPC meeting and designate a Chair for each IPC from the DPC staff or one or more of the involved agencies. The IPC Chairs shall ensure that the views and recommendations of all IPC members are fully and fairly considered. The APDP may request an agency to perform an interagency Executive Secretary role to support the functioning of the IPC. The DPC staff shall determine the agenda for IPC meetings and, where appropriate, prepare materials to assist the IPC’s deliberations.
(b) The Deputies Committee (DC) is the senior sub‑Cabinet forum for coordination of domestic policy matters. The DC shall meet regularly to ensure that matters brought before the PC or the DPC are properly analyzed and prepared for consideration. The DC shall make recommendations to the PC on policy goals, options, coordination, and implementation, as appropriate. The DC shall focus significant attention on ensuring rigorous policy implementation, including through regular reviews of the Administration’s major domestic policy initiatives to ensure their implementation in a timely and effective manner consistent with the President’s stated goals. The DC shall also recommend policy or programmatic modifications as necessary or appropriate.
The DC shall be chaired by a Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. Agency representation on the DC shall be at the Deputy or Under Secretary level, or its equivalent, as appropriate for the agenda. The members of the DC shall be designees of the officials set forth in the Annex of this memorandum, though participation in DC meetings may vary according to the agenda. Any agency may request an invitation to attend a DC meeting on a particular issue through the APDP. The APDP may also request the support and involvement of other agencies on an issue as necessary. The Chair of the DC shall determine the agenda in consultation with the other DC members and ensure that appropriate materials are prepared to assist the DC’s deliberations.
(c) The Principals Committee (PC) shall be the senior forum for consideration of domestic policy issues for advice and recommendation to the President. Based on guidance from the President, the PC shall establish domestic policy priorities and processes to advance them. The PC shall develop options and recommendations for the President on matters of domestic policy requiring his attention and shall set priorities and provide coordination as appropriate on matters of policy that do not require Presidential attention. The PC shall review the work of the DC and provide interagency coordination on domestic policy formulation and implementation as may be appropriate and consistent with law.
The APDP shall serve as Chair of the PC and convene the PC, in consultation with the members of the PC and other Executive Office of the President (EOP) Principals, as appropriate. The APDP shall determine the agenda in consultation with the other PC members and ensure that appropriate materials are prepared to assist the PC in its deliberations.
Participation in the PC shall be at the Cabinet level or its equivalent. Although agency participation in PC meetings shall vary in accordance with the agenda and at the discretion of the APDP, any agency may request an invitation to attend a meeting on a particular issue through the APDP. The heads of other agencies, along with additional senior officials, shall be invited as appropriate.
The APDP shall ensure that the views and recommendations of all DPC Principals are fully and fairly communicated to the President and the Vice President.
(d) The Domestic Policy Council (DPC) established by Executive Order 12859 shall be the principal forum for advising and assisting the President in developing, integrating, and ensuring implementation of all aspects of domestic policy affecting the United States and the American people. Along with its subordinate committees, the DPC shall be the principal means for coordinating agencies in the development and implementation of domestic policy to achieve the Administration’s policy goals.
The DPC shall meet as required. The APDP, at the President’s direction and in consultation with other members of the DPC, shall be responsible for determining the agenda, ensuring that appropriate papers are prepared to assist the DPC’s deliberations, and conveying Presidential decisions, guidance, and policy goals in a timely manner.
The membership of the DPC is set forth in the Annex of this memorandum. Participation in particular DPC meetings shall vary in accordance with the agenda and at the discretion of the APDP. However, any Cabinet-level Principal may request through the APDP, an invitation to attend a meeting on a particular issue.
Sec. 3. Executive Office of the President. The Vice President may be represented at DPC committee meetings at each level of the DPC structure.
The Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff shall ensure that necessary administrative and personnel support is provided to the DPC staff and system, and may be represented at DPC committee meetings at each level of the DPC structure.
The Office of Management and Budget shall be represented at DPC committee meetings at each level of the DPC structure. The Director of OMB shall provide analytic and other support to the DPC policy processes.
The Counsel to the President shall designate senior lawyers in the office to act as the liaisons to the DPC and shall provide analytic and other support to the DPC policy processes at every level of the DPC structure. The Counsel to the President, the Assistant to the President and Press Secretary, and the Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs may each be represented, as appropriate, at DPC committee meetings at each level of the DPC structure.
The Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor, the Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor, a Co-Chair of the Gender Policy Council, the COVID-19 Response Coordinator, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Director of National Drug Control Policy, the National Cybersecurity Director, the United States Trade Representative, and other EOP senior officials may, as appropriate, observe or participate in meetings at each level of the DPC structure, as appropriate, at the discretion of the APDP or a Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.
The APDP may designate a DPC liaison to observe and participate in policy processes led under the auspices of other EOP components or senior officials, including the National Economic Council, the National Security Council, the Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor, the COVID-19 Response Coordinator, the White House Gender Policy Council, and the Council on Environmental Quality.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
