U.S.

Executive Office of the President

Every day, the President of the United States is faced with scores of decisions, each with important consequences for Americas future. To provide the President with the support that he or she needs to govern effectively, the Executive Office of the President (EOP) was created in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The EOP has responsibility for tasks ranging from communicating the Presidents message to the American people to promoting our trade interests abroad. Overseen by the White House Chief of Staff, the EOP has traditionally been home to many of the Presidents closest advisors. The following entities exist within the Executive Office of the President:

Council of Economic Advisers Council on Environmental Quality National Security Council and Homeland Security Council Office of Administration Office of Management and Budget Office of National Drug Control Policy Office of Science and Technology Policy Office of the United States Trade Representative Office of the Vice President Executive Residence The White House

In addition, the following entities exist within The White House:

Office of Cabinet Affairs Office of the Chief of Staff Office of Communications o Communications o Media Affairs o New Media o Research o Speechwriting Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy Office of the First Lady o Office of the Social Secretary Office of Health Reform National Security Advisor Office of Legislative Affairs Office of Management and Administration o White House Personnel o White House Operations o Telephone Office o Visitors Office Oval Office Operations Office of Political Affairs Office of Presidential Personnel Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs o Office of Public Engagement

o o

Council on Women and Girls Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Urban Affairs

Office of the Press Secretary Office of Scheduling and Advance Office of the Staff Secretary o Presidential Correspondence o Executive Clerk o Records Management Office of the White House Counsel Office of White House Policy o Domestic Policy Council

Office of National AIDS Policy Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Office of Health Reform Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

National Economic Council

White House Military Office

The EOP Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Congressional Budget Submission, supporting the offices and councils within the EOP, was submitted to the Congress on February 1, 2010.

U.S. Office of Administration

The Office of Administration was established by Executive Order on December 12, 1977. The organization's mission is to provide administrative services to all entities of the Executive Office of the President (EOP), including direct support services to the President of the United States. The services include financial management and information technology support, human resources management, library and research assistance, facilities management, procurement, printing and graphics support, security, and mail and messenger operations. The Director of the organization oversees the submission of the annual EOP Budget Request and represents the organization before congressional funding panels.

Office of Administration History

The Executive Office of the President (EOP) officially moved into the EEOB in 1947 after the last of the original occupants, the State Department, moved out. The first EOP entities to move into the old State Building (as the EEOB was known) were the Bureau of the Budget (now the Office of Management and Budget) and the National Security Council. On December 12, 1977, President Carter issued Executive Order 12028 that merged the administrative functions of ten entities of the EOP, to be consolidated as the Office of Administration (OA). In the following excerpt from that Executive Order, President Carter defined OA's mission statement and role: Sec. 3 (a) The Office of the Administration shall provide common administrative support and services to all units within the Executive Office of the President, except for such services provided primarily in direct support of the President. The Office of the Administration shall, upon request, assist the White House Office in performing its role of providing those administrative services, which are primarily in direct support of the President. (b) The common administrative support and services provided by the Office of Administration shall encompass all types of administrative support and services that may be used by, or useful to, units within the Executive Office of the President. Such services and support shall include, but not be limited to, providing support services in the following administrative areas: 1. personnel management services, including equal employment opportunity programs; 2. financial management services; 3. data processing, including support and services; 4. library, records and information services; 5. office services and operations, including mail, messenger, printing and duplication, graphics, word processing, procurement, and supply services; and 6. any other administrative support or service, which will achieve financial savings and increase efficiency through centralization of the supporting service.

Preservation Office
What does the facilities management division do? As part of the Office of Administration, the Facilities Management Division's mission is to professionally manage the use of space and oversee the maintenance of space within all EOP facilities and provide excellence in customer service. The core functions include the Facility Request Program, Space Management, Project Oversight, Conference and Meeting Support, Preservation Stewardship, and Recycling Program Management. What does the Preservation Office do? As part of the Facilities Management Division, the Preservation Office's mission is the preservation of the historic and architectural integrity of the EOP properties. This involves the following tasks: 1. 2. 3. Oversee the restoration and preservation of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), the East and West Wings of the White House, and the Jackson Place Townhouses, among other selected properties. Direct and manage public education programs on the history of the EOP properties (these include special presentations, exhibitions, brochures and other informational requests). Maintain collections of furnishings, decorative arts, architectural fragments, prints and drawings, and research files, as well as manage the receipt of gifts and the loans of materials and furnishings.

Completed Projects

Since its establishment, the Preservation Office has initiated and overseen several restoration projects such as the award-winning restoration of the slate and cast iron roof and the restoration of the three Department libraries originally occupying the building (the State, War, and Navy Departments). The Secretary of the Navy's office has been restored to its circa 1900 appearance and serves as the ceremonial office of the Vice President. The Pennsylvania Avenue entrance, bronze stair balusters, corridors, corner domes and the fifth floor east and west rotundas have also been restored to their original appearance. Additional work has included repair and replacement of window sash and doors; rebuilding the exterior plazas including lighting, fencing and paving; repair and upgrading of the elevators; and installation of a fire suppression system in the basement. In all the projects that are completed, the work is monitored to assure consistency with preservation criteria. In 1988, Congress enacted legislation to allow the Office of Administration to accept gifts and loans for preservation activities so as to shift the expense to public and private partnerships. Current Projects Preservation, renovation, and restoration projects overseen by the Preservation Office are underway at all times. Current projects at the EEOB include a thorough modernization of the entire building, which is the building's first comprehensive renovation of all systems since its original construction.

How to apply for a competitive (non-political) job:

If you are interested in applying for competitive (non-political), permanent and temporary positions within the Executive Office of the President you can view those vacancies on the Office of Personnel Management's USAJOBS website at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/.

U.S. Council of Economic Advisers

About CEA
The Council of Economic Advisers, an agency within the Executive Office of the President, is charged with offering the President objective economic advice on the formulation of both domestic and international economic policy. The Council bases its recommendations and analysis on economic research and empirical evidence, using the best data available to support the President in setting our nation's economic policy. The Council is comprised of a Chair and two Members. Christina Romer currently serves as chair and Austan Goolsbee and Cecilia Rouse have been confirmed for the Council's two member positions. The Council is supported by a staff of professional senior economists, staff economists and research assistants, as well as a statistical office.

Establishment of the Council

The Council of Economic Advisers was established by Congress in the Employment Act of 1946. The portion of the bill that authorizes the Council is presented below: "There is hereby created in the Executive Office of the President a Council of Economic Advisers (hereinafter called the "Council"). The Council shall be composed of three members who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and each of whom shall be a person who, as a result of his training, experience, and attainments, is exceptionally qualified to analyze and interpret economic developments, to appraise programs and activities of the Government in the light of the policy declared in section 2, and to formulate and recommend national economic policy to promote employment, production, and purchasing power under free competitive enterprise. The President shall designate one of the members of the Council as Chairman. It shall be the duty and function of the Council-1. to assist and advise the President in the preparation of the Economic Report; 2. to gather timely and authoritative information concerning economic developments and economic trends, both current and prospective, to analyze and interpret such information in the light of the policy declared in section 2 for the purpose of determining whether such developments and trends are interfering, or are likely to interfere, with the achievement of such policy, and to compile and submit to the President studies relating to such developments and trends; 3. to appraise the various programs and activities of the Federal Government in the light of the policy declared in section 2 for the purpose of determining the extent to which such programs and activities are contributing, and the extent to which they are not contributing, to the achievement of such policy, and to make recommendations to the President with respect thereto; 4. to develop and recommend to the President national economic policies to foster and promote free competitive enterprise, to avoid economic fluctuations or to diminish the effects thereof, and to maintain employment, production, and purchasing power; 5. to make and furnish such studies, reports thereon, and recommendations with respect to matters of Federal economic policy and legislation as the President may request."

U.S. Council on Environmental Quality

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) coordinates Federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives. CEQ was established within the Executive Office of the President by Congress as part of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and additional responsibilities were provided by the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970.

The President's Advisor

The Council's Chair, Nancy Sutley, serves as the principal environmental policy adviser to the President. Chair Sutley assists and advises the President in developing environmental policies and initiatives. Through interagency working groups and coordination with other EOP components, CEQ works to advance the Presidents agenda. It also balances competing positions, and encourages government-wide coordination, bringing federal agencies, state and local governments, and other stakeholders together on matters relating to the environment, natural resources and energy. In addition, CEQ oversees the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive. The role of the Federal Environmental Executive is to promote sustainable environmental stewardship throughout the Federal government.

Balancing Social, Economic, and Environmental Goals

In addition, CEQ oversees Federal agency implementation of the environmental impact assessment process and acts as a referee when agencies disagree over the adequacy of such assessments. In enacting NEPA, Congress recognized that nearly all Federal activities affect the environment in some way and mandated that before Federal agencies make decisions, they must consider the effects of their actions on the quality of the human environment. Under NEPA, CEQ works to balance environmental, economic, and social objectives in pursuit of NEPAs goal of "productive harmony" between humans and the human environment. 42 U.S.C. 4331(a). NEPA assigns CEQ the task of ensuring that Federal agencies meet their obligations under the Act. The challenge of harmonizing our economic, environmental and social aspirations has put NEPA and CEQ at the forefront of our nation's efforts to protect the environment.

U.S. National Security Council

The National Security Council (NSC) is the President's principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials. Since its inception under President Truman, the Council's function has been to advise and assist the President on national security and foreign policies. The Council also serves as the President's principal arm for coordinating these policies among various government agencies. The NSC is chaired by the President. Its regular attendees (both statutory and non-statutory) are the Vice President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the statutory military advisor to the Council, and the Director of National Intelligence is the intelligence advisor. The Chief of Staff to the President, Counsel to the President, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy are invited to attend any NSC meeting. The Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget are invited to attend meetings pertaining to their responsibilities. The heads of other executive departments and agencies, as well as other senior officials, are invited to attend meetings of the NSC when appropriate. The National Security Council was established by the National Security Act of 1947 (PL 235 - 61 Stat. 496; U.S.C. 402), amended by the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 579; 50 U.S.C. 401 et seq.). Later in 1949, as part of the Reorganization Plan, the Council was placed in the Executive Office of the President.

U.S. Office of Management and Budget

The Mission and Structure of the Office of Management and Budget

The core mission of OMB is to serve the President of the United States in implementing his vision across the Executive Branch. OMB is the largest component of the Executive Office of the President. It reports directly to the President and helps a wide range of executive departments and agencies across the Federal Government to implement the commitments and priorities of the President.

As the implementation and enforcement arm of Presidential policy government-wide, OMB carries out its mission through five critical processes that are essential to the Presidents ability to plan and implement his priorities across the Executive Branch: 1. Budget development and execution, a significant government-wide process managed from the Executive Office of the President and a mechanism by which a President implements decisions, policies, priorities, and actions in all areas (from economic recovery to health care to energy policy to national security); Management oversight of agency performance, Federal procurement, financial management, and information/IT (including paperwork reduction, privacy, and security); Coordination and review of all significant Federal regulations by executive agencies, to reflect Presidential priorities and to ensure that economic and other impacts are assessed as part of regulatory decision-making, along with review and assessment of information collection requests; Legislative clearance and coordination (review and clearance of all agency communications with Congress, including testimony and draft bills) to ensure consistency of agency legislative views and proposals with Presidential policy; and Executive Orders and Presidential Memoranda to agency heads and officials, the mechanisms by which the President directs specific governmentwide actions by Executive Branch officials.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Organizationally, OMB has offices devoted to the development and execution of the Federal Budget, various government-wide management portfolios, and OMBwide functional responsibilities.

Budget Formulation and Execution

OMB has five resource management offices (RMOs), organized by agency and by program area. These offices, together with OMBs Budget Review Division, help to carry out OMBs central activity of assisting the President in overseeing the preparation of the Federal Budget and supervising its administration of Executive Branch agencies. In helping to formulate the Presidents spending plans, the RMOs assess the effectiveness of agency programs, policies, and procedures, weigh competing funding demands within and among agencies, and help work with agencies to set funding priorities. Once the Budget is enacted, RMOs are responsible for the execution of Federal budgetary policies and provide ongoing policy and management guidance to Federal agencies. As part of these and other responsibilities, the RMOs provide analysis and evaluation, oversee implementation of policy options, and support government-wide management initiatives. The Budget Review Division (BRD) plays a central role in developing and implementing the Presidents Budget. BRD provides leadership and analytic support across the agency by analyzing trends in and the consequences of aggregate budget policy. It aggregates data provided by the RMOs, provides strategic and technical support for budget decision-making and negotiations, and monitors congressional action on appropriations and other spending legislation. In addition, BRD provides technical expertise in, and guidance on, budget concepts and execution.

The Management Side of OMB

The Deputy Director for Management (DDM) also serves as the nations first Federal Chief Performance Officer (CPO). The DDM/CPO develops and executes a government-wide management agenda that includes information technology, financial management, procurement, performance, and human resources. The management side of OMB is comprised of five offices, four of which are statutory, that oversee and coordinate the Administrations procurement, financial management, e-government, performance and personnel management, and information and regulatory policies. In each of these areas, OMBs role includes not only administrative management functions, but also program and policy management (e.g., program delivery and outcomes). This role encompasses oversight of how agencies devise, implement, manage, and evaluate the statutory programs and policies for which they are responsible. This responsibility is central to OMBs efforts to assist in agency strategic planning, goal-setting, performance measurement, information management, evaluation, and policy research. These functions are essential parts of the policy and program direction advice that OMB provides. The management offices develop and oversee the Presidents management plan and other government-wide management policies, and work primarily with and through the RMOs and the agencies to ensure that these policies are implemented:

The Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM) develops and provides direction to improve financial management and systems; to reduce improper payments; to improve grants management; and to right-size Federal real property. OFFM also coordinates the activities of the Chief Financial Officers, and Senior Real Property Officers. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) works with agencies to improve Federal procurement practices that affect the full range of Federal acquisitions. The Office of E-Government and Information Technology, headed by the Federal Governments Chief Information Officer, develops and provides direction in the use of Internet-based technologies to make it easier for citizens and businesses to interact with the Federal Government, save taxpayer dollars, and streamline citizen participation. The Office of Performance and Personnel Management (OPPM) works with agencies to encourage use and communication of performance information and to improve results and transparency. OPPM also works closely with OPM to advance effective personnel practices. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has a number of functions, including information policy, statistical policy, and regulatory policy.

Regulatory Review and Paperwork Reduction

Executive Order 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," issued by President Clinton on September 30, 1993, gives OIRA within OMB the responsibility to review agencies draft proposed and final regulatory actions. With respect to regulatory policy, OIRAs mission includes ensuring coordination and interagency review within the Executive Branch, including offices within OMB and the Executive Office of the President; promoting adherence to the law and to the Presidents priorities and commitments; and ensuring that regulations are based on sound analysis and serve the purposes of the statutes that authorize them and the interests of the public. Specifically, OIRAs review of draft proposed and final significant regulations helps ensure that the agency has adequately defined the problem that it intends to address; considered alternatives; assessed available information, risks, costs, and benefits (both qualitative and quantitative); consulted affected parties and promoted transparency and participation; and tailored the regulation to focus on the problem in a simple and clear way that does not conflict with other rules or statutes. OIRA seeks to ensure, to the extent permitted by law, that the benefits of agency regulations justify the costs and that the chosen

approach maximize net benefits to society. OIRA also administers the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which calls for clearance and assessment of information collection requests by agencies. Legislative Clearance and Coordination OMB clears agency views on legislative proposals and testimony to ensure consistency in the Administrations policy positions.

Legislative Proposals. All bills that Executive agencies wish to transmit to the Congress are sent to OMB for clearance. OMB circulates the bills to other affected agencies and appropriate EOP staff. Agencies reviewing a draft bill may favor it or have no objection. One or more may propose substantive or technical amendments, or perhaps a complete substitute. Divergent views can be reconciled by telephone, letter, e-mail, or interagency meetings called by OMB. After review, analysis, resolution of issues, and obtaining appropriate policy guidance, OMB advises the proposing agency that (1) there is no objection from the standpoint of the Administrations program to the submission of the proposed draft bill to the Congress, or (2) the proposed bill is in accord with the Presidents program, if it implements a Presidential proposal. The submitting agency conveys this advice to the Congress in its transmittal letter. (Major legislation is sometimes transmitted by the President.) On the other hand, if the agency is advised that its proposed bill conflicts with an important Administration objective, or is not in accord with the Presidents program, it may not transmit the bill to the Congress. In practically all instances, however, disagreements are resolved through discussions at the policy levels of OMB and the agencies.

Clearance of Agency Testimony and Letters on Pending Legislation. If agencies are asked by congressional committees to testify or send letters on pending legislation, or wish to volunteer a letter, similar clearance procedures are followed as for legislative proposals, described above.

Statements of Administration Policy (SAPs). OMB prepares SAPs for major bills scheduled for House or Senate floor action in the coming week, including those to be considered by the House Rules Committee. SAPs are prepared in coordination with other parts of OMB, the agency or agencies principally concerned, and other EOP units. Following its clearance, a SAP is sent to Congress by OMBs Legislative Affairs Office. OMB also publishes these Statements to its public website. Enrolled Bills and Signing Statements. After Congress has completed action on a bill, it is enrolled (i.e., sent to the President for his approval or disapproval), together with drafts of any signing statements. The Constitution provides that the President shall take action within 10 days after receipt of the bill, not including Sundays. To assist the President in deciding his course of action on a bill, OMB requests each interested agency to submit within 48 hours of a bills passage its analysis and recommendation in a letter to OMB. Such views letters are signed by the head of the agency or other Presidential appointee. OMB prepares a memorandum to the President on the enrolled bill which transmits these views letters and summarizes the bill, significant issues, and various agency and OMB recommendations. If an agency recommends disapproval, it is responsible for preparing a draft of an appropriate statement for the Presidents consideration. In considering whether a signing statement should issue upon a bills signing on the basis of constitutional considerations, OMBs Office of General Counsel identifies relevant legal issues, in consultation with the Department of Justice and the Office of the White House Counsel, and drafts the legal issues sections of any signing statements.

Presidents Executive Orders and Memoranda to Agency Heads

Under Executive Order 11030, as amended, OMB substantively reviews and clears all draft Presidential Executive Orders and Memoranda to Agency Heads prior to their issuance. Any agency head or White House component wishing to sponsor an executive order or Presidential memorandum formally requests such an order or memorandum from OMB. OMB works with the policy sponsor to draft or refine the proposed order or memorandum; submits the draft to an interagency clearance process; and works with the policy sponsors to address agency comments and resolve disputes. The OMB General Counsel also obtains form and legality approval of draft executive orders from the Department of Justice, and seeks legal authority approval from the Department of Justice for Presidential memoranda as well. Draft executive orders and Presidential memoranda are submitted for signature to the President by the Director of OMB and the General Counsel of OMB. Other OMB Offices

Other OMB offices include Management and Operations, Communications, Economic Policy, General Counsel, Legislative Affairs, and Legislative Reference. The Office of Economic Policy (EP), along with the Department of the Treasury and the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), develops economic assumptions for the Presidents Budget and works closely with BRD on budgetary issues. EP assists RMOs with budget estimates, policy proposals, cost models, and other data analytics, especially in the areas of credit and insurance, health, labor, education, and tax policy. EP plays a leadership role in government-wide program evaluation efforts. EP is responsible for the Circular setting Federal discount rate policy. EP also assists the management side of OMB by analyzing procurement policy and issues related to Federal pay and benefits. OMBs Office of General Counsel provides legal advice and counsel to the Director and the OMB components and staff. In addition, the General Counsels Office manages the Executive Order and Presidential Memoranda process for OMB and the Administration; reviews and clears all legal and constitutional comments by the Department of Justice and other agencies on proposed legislation before such comments are conveyed to Congress; participates in the drafting of bill signing statements for the President; reviews all proposed legislative text comprising the Presidents Budget and for all budget-related legislative proposals; evaluates legal issues in proposed regulations; convenes meetings of all agency general counsels and coordinates legal issues across agencies; and ensures OMBs compliance with ethics laws, the Freedom of Information Act, the Federal Records Act, and other statutory requirements. OMBs Office of Legislative Affairs works closely with White House Office of Legislative Affairs, Federal Agency Legislative Affairs offices, and congressional offices on current legislative issues. The office conveys information and strategies to the Director to inform decisions on Administration policies. The office, in turn, disseminates budget materials, descriptions of relevant concerns, and statements to Congress to communicate the Administrations positions. The Office of Legislative Affairs also advises the OMB Director and the organization on legislative issues and developments, provides expertise on the congressional budget process, supplies daily congressional reports to the Director and the OMB staff, oversees correspondence with the Hill, and manages the clearance and transmittal of the Presidents Budget and the Administrations Statements of Administration Policy.

The Legislative Reference Division coordinates the articulation of the Administrations position on legislation by overseeing the review and clearance of the Administrations legislative proposals, testimony, and statements on bills progressing through Congress. The remaining offices provide OMB-wide support and guidance in a number of areas. For example, the Management and Operations Division helps ensure that OMB has the staff resources, physical facilities, equipment, and information systems needed to accomplish its mission. The Strategic Planning and Communications Office is the principal resource of national, regional, and local media organizations for information about the Federal Budget and other areas of OMB responsibility. OMB also shares responsibility for space management and building construction policy with GSA and responsibility for personnel policy with Office of Personnel Management.

U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a component of the Executive Office of the President, was established by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. The principal purpose of ONDCP is to establish policies, priorities, and objectives for the Nation's drug control program. The goals of the program are to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences. To achieve these goals, the Director of ONDCP is charged with producing the National Drug Control Strategy. The Strategy directs the Nation's anti-drug efforts and establishes a program, a budget, and guidelines for cooperation among Federal, State, and local entities. By law, the Director of ONDCP also evaluates, coordinates, and oversees both the international and domestic anti-drug efforts of executive branch agencies and ensures that such efforts sustain and complement State and local anti-drug activities. The Director advises the President regarding changes in the organization, management, budgeting, and personnel of Federal Agencies that could affect the Nation's anti-drug efforts; and regarding Federal agency compliance with their obligations under the Strategy.

U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy

About OSTP
Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy in 1976 with a broad mandate to advise the President and others within the Executive Office of the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs. The 1976 Act also authorizes OSTP to lead interagency efforts to develop and implement sound science and technology policies and budgets, and to work with the private sector, state and local governments, the science and higher education communities, and other nations toward this end.

OSTP's Mission
The mission of the Office of Science and Technology Policy is threefold; first, to provide the President and his senior staff with accurate, relevant, and timely scientific and technical advice on all matters of consequence; second, to ensure that the policies of the Executive Branch are informed by sound science; and third, to ensure that the scientific and technical work of the Executive Branch is properly coordinated so as to provide the greatest benefit to society.

Strategic Goals and Objectives

Ensure that Federal investments in science and technology are making the greatest possible contribution to economic prosperity, public health, environmental quality, and national security Energize and nurture the processes by which government programs in science and technology are resourced, evaluated, and coordinated Sustain the core professional and scientific relationships with government officials, academics, and industry representatives that are required to understand the depth and breadth of the Nations scientific and technical enterprise, evaluate scientific advances, and identify potential policy proposals Generate a core workforce of world-class expertise capable of providing policy-relevant advice, analysis, and judgment for the President and his senior staff regarding the scientific and technical aspects of the major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal government

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

American trade policy works toward opening markets throughout the world to create new opportunities and higher living standards for families, farmers, manufacturers, workers, consumers, and businesses. The United States is party to numerous trade agreements with other countries, and is participating in negotiations for new trade agreements with a number of countries and regions of the world.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the presidents principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues. USTR is part of the Executive Office of the President. Through an interagency structure, USTR coordinates trade policy, resolves disagreements, and frames issues for presidential decision. USTR also serves as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), is on the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, is a non-voting member of the Export-Import Bank Board of Directors, and a member of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies. Our expertise USTR provides trade policy leadership and negotiating expertise in its major areas of responsibility, including:

Bilateral, regional and multilateral trade and investment issues Expansion of market access for American goods and services International commodity agreements Negotiations affecting U.S. import policies Oversight of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Section 301 complaints against foreign unfair trade practices, as well as Section 1377, Section 337 and import relief cases under Section 201 Trade, commodity, and direct investment matters managed by international institutions such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Trade-related intellectual property protection issues World Trade Organization (WTO) issues

Working with other agencies USTR consults with other government agencies on trade policy matters through the Trade Policy Review Group (TPRG) and the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC). These groups, administered and chaired by USTR and composed of 19 Federal agencies and offices, make up the sub-cabinet level mechanism for developing and coordinating U.S. Government positions on international trade and trade-related investment issues. The TPSC is the primary operating group, with representation at the senior civil service level. Supporting the TPSC are more than 90 subcommittees responsible for specialized areas and several task forces that work on particular issues. If agreement is not reached in the TPSC, or if significant policy questions are being considered, then issues are taken up by the TPRG (Deputy USTR/Under Secretary level). The final tier of the interagency trade policy mechanism is the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by the president. The NEC Deputies committee considers memoranda from the TPRG, as well as important or controversial trade-related issues. Outside advisors The U.S. Congress established the private sector advisory committee system in 1974 to ensure that U.S. trade policy and trade negotiation objectives adequately reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. Congress expanded and enhanced the role of this system in subsequent trade acts, most recently the Trade Act of 2002. The advisory committees provide information and advice with respect to U.S. negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering into trade agreements, on the operation of any trade agreement once entered into, and on other matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and administration of U.S. trade policy. The trade policy advisory committee system consists of 26 advisory committees, with a total membership of up approximately 700 advisors. Recommendations for candidates for committee membership are collected from a number of sources including Members of Congress, associations and organizations, publications, and other individuals who have demonstrated an interest or expertise in U.S. trade policy. Membership selection is based on qualifications, geography, and the needs of the specific committee. Members pay for their own travel and other related expenses, must obtain a security clearance. Under the Trade Act of 2002, each advisory committee is required to prepare a report on proposed trade agreements for the Administration and Congress. These reports are made public on USTRs website. The system is arranged in three tiers: the President's Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN); four policy advisory committees; and 22 technical and sectoral advisory committees. The President appoints up to 45 ACTPN members for two-year terms. The 1974 Trade Act requires that membership broadly represent key economic sectors affected by trade. The committee considers trade policy issues in the context of the overall national interest. USTR administers the ACTPN. The policy advisory committees are appointed by the USTR alone or in conjunction with other Cabinet officers. USTR solely manages the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee (IGPAC). Those policy advisory committees managed jointly with the Departments of Agriculture, Labor, and the Environmental Protection Agency are, respectively, the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC), Labor Advisory Committee (LAC), and Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC). Each committee provides advice based upon the perspective of its specific area.

The 22 sectoral, and technical advisory committees are organized in two areas: industry and agriculture. Representatives are appointed jointly by the USTR and the Secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture, respectively. Each sectoral or technical committee represents a specific sector or commodity group (such as textiles or dairy products) and provides specific technical advice concerning the effect that trade policy decisions may have on its sector. Working with Congress Since its creation, USTR has maintained close consultation with Congress. Five members from each House are formally appointed under statute as official Congressional advisors on trade policy, and additional members may be appointed as advisors on particular issues or negotiations. Liaison activities between the agency and Congress are extensive. USTR provides detailed briefings on a regular basis for the Congressional Oversight Group, a new organization composed of members from a broad range of congressional committees. In addition, USTR officials and staff participate in hundreds of congressional conversations each year on subjects ranging from tariffs to textiles.