Overview
Title
Revocation of Executive Order 13770
Agencies
ELI5 AI
President Biden decided that the special rules set by the old president for people working in his team weren't needed anymore, so he canceled them. Now, people working in those jobs don't have to follow those rules, and we don't know if new rules will take their place yet.
Summary AI
President Biden issued Executive Order 13983, which revokes Executive Order 13770. This order, initially put in place on January 28, 2017, required ethics commitments from Executive Branch appointees. The revocation is effective as of noon on January 20, 2021, meaning that neither current nor former employees are bound by those commitments after this time. The order also clarifies that it should not interfere with existing legal authority or create new legal rights.
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Sources
AnalysisAI
Summary of the Document
The document in question is Executive Order 13983, issued by President Biden, which revokes a previous order, Executive Order 13770. This prior order, signed on January 28, 2017, imposed specific ethics commitments on those appointed to the Executive Branch. The main change brought about by Executive Order 13983 is that, as of noon on January 20, 2021, both current and former employees are no longer bound by these earlier commitments.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several notable issues and concerns presented by this document:
Lack of Replacement Guidelines: The order does not indicate what, if any, new ethics guidelines will replace those revoked. This creates a gap that might lead to confusion about what ethical standards apply, potentially undermining integrity within the Executive Branch.
Timing of Revocation: Though the document specifies the exact time and date for when the revocation takes effect, such specificity could lead to confusion if not properly communicated across all relevant departments. Clear communication is essential to ensure that all parties are aware of the changes.
General Provisions and Ambiguity: The executive order includes a provision stating that it should not "impair or otherwise affect" any existing legal authority or functions. This language may be perceived as vague and open to interpretation, potentially leading to disputes or differing understandings of its implications.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the impact of this document may initially appear limited. However, ethical guidelines for government employees are critical for maintaining public trust in governance. Any ambiguity or lack of clarity in these guidelines could indirectly affect public perception of governmental integrity and accountability.
Impact on Stakeholders
For stakeholders within the government, particularly those in the Executive Branch, the revocation could bring both challenges and opportunities:
Challenges: Without clear replacement guidelines, there might be a period of uncertainty regarding what ethical standards they are expected to adhere to. This uncertainty could affect decision-making and operational procedures.
Opportunities: There is an opportunity for the administration to develop a new framework that better aligns with its values and policies, potentially leading to more relevant and effective ethics standards.
In conclusion, while Executive Order 13983 revokes a significant piece of ethics regulation, it also opens the door to discussions and potential reforms in ethical governance within the Executive Branch. Clear and concise communication, coupled with quick formulation of new guidelines, would be essential to minimizing confusion and ensuring continued ethical compliance.
Issues
• The document does not specify how the revocation of Executive Order 13770 will affect existing ethics commitments or what new ethics guidelines will be implemented instead.
• Section 1 provides a specific time and date for the revocation to take effect, which could cause confusion if not clearly understood or communicated within the relevant departments.
• Section 2(a) uses the phrase 'impair or otherwise affect,' which may be considered vague or open to interpretation without additional context.
• The document does not address if any alternate ethics guidelines or frameworks will replace those established by Executive Order 13770, creating potential ambiguity regarding ethical standards moving forward.