Summary

Summary of Executive Order on Restoring Accountability for Career Senior Executives

Purpose

• To enhance accountability among Career Senior Executive Service (SES) officials within the U.S. government.
• To ensure SES officials effectively respond to the nation’s needs and uphold lawful governance, as required by law.

Actions Taken

• Performance Plans: The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are instructed to develop SES Performance Plans within 30 days.
• Agency Authority: Agency heads are empowered to use available authorities to strengthen the SES framework and emphasize accountability.
• SES Reassignments: Agency heads must reassign SES members to align their skills and responsibilities with the administration's agenda.
• Executive Resources Board (ERB): Agencies are to dissolve existing ERBs and create new or interim boards, including senior noncareer officials in key roles.
• Performance Review Boards: Existing Performance Review Boards should be reconstituted with members committed to enforcing SES performance evaluations.
• Accountability Measures: Agency heads are mandated to take action against any SES official whose performance is inconsistent with their responsibilities, including potential removal.

Expected Impact

• The executive order aims to ensure that SES officials are held accountable for their roles, fostering a government workforce that is responsive, efficient, and aligned with presidential policies.
• This initiative seeks to restore trust in government operations and enhance the overall efficacy of federal agencies.