Executive Order 14031 · Signed May 28, 2021

86 FR 29675 · Published Jun 3, 2021 · Effective on signing

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Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

civil rightsracial equityfederal advisory commissionhate crime preventionlanguage access

Signed by President Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Establishes a new White House Initiative and a 25-member Advisory Commission — both housed at the Department of Health and Human Services — to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities across the federal government.

Revokes four prior executive orders on the same topic dating back to 1999, replacing them with a broader whole-of-government framework that spans health, education, economic opportunity, housing, language access, hate-crime prevention, and federal workforce diversity.

What this order does

What it orders

The order establishes two new bodies: the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (a 25-member advisory panel seated within HHS) and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (a federal interagency working group). The Commission advises the President on closing socioeconomic, health, and educational gaps, improving data disaggregation, expanding language access, and combating hate crimes and xenophobia. The Initiative coordinates federal policy across more than 30 agencies and offices on the same goals and requires each member agency to prepare a measurable action plan and report progress to the Co-Chairs regularly. The Co-Chairs must submit an annual government-wide report to the President on progress made.

The order does not create new enforceable rights or benefits, is subject to existing appropriations, and does not apply to independent regulatory agencies (though they are encouraged to comply). The Advisory Commission terminates two years from signing unless the President renews it.

Who it affects

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander individuals and communities across the United States. Federal agencies and White House offices directed to develop and implement equity action plans. Federal grantees, contractors, and employers reached by resulting policy changes. AA and NHPI federal employees and public servants whose career development is addressed.

Why it matters

Dozens of federal agencies must now draft and regularly report on measurable equity action plans targeting AA and NHPI communities. Communities experiencing health disparities, language barriers, hate-crime exposure, or limited access to federal programs gain a formal government-wide structure designed to direct resources and policy attention toward those gaps.

What must happen and when

How the order is supposed to work

Each Initiative member agency develops a measurable action plan, reports progress to the Co-Chairs and Executive Director on a schedule those officials set, and contributes staff time and resources within existing budgets. The Co-Chairs synthesize agency-level reports into an annual government-wide plan delivered to the President. HHS funds and administers both bodies; an Executive Director appointed by the HHS Secretary runs day-to-day operations for both the Commission and the Initiative. The Commission sunsets in two years unless renewed. Independent regulatory agencies are encouraged but not required to comply.

Actions and deadlines

  • Each Initiative member agency prepares a plan with measurable actions to advance equity for AA and NHPI communitiesNo deadline specified
  • Each member agency reports progress on its agency plan to the Co-Chairs and Executive Director on a regular basisNo deadline specified
  • Co-Chairs develop and submit to the President an annual government-wide interagency equity plan and progress reportAnnually
  • Advisory Commission terminates unless renewed by the PresidentWithin 2 years of signing

Agencies directed to act

Department of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of StateDepartment of the TreasuryDepartment of DefenseDepartment of JusticeDepartment of the InteriorDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of CommerceDepartment of LaborDepartment of Housing and Urban DevelopmentDepartment of EnergyDepartment of EducationDepartment of Veterans AffairsDepartment of Homeland SecurityEnvironmental Protection AgencyOffice of Management and BudgetOffice of the United States Trade RepresentativeSmall Business AdministrationOffice of Science and Technology PolicySocial Security AdministrationGeneral Services AdministrationUnited States Agency for International DevelopmentOffice of Personnel ManagementEqual Employment Opportunity Commission

Authority and reach

Authorities cited

Article II

Constitutional grant of executive power to the President.

5 U.S.C. § 5701-5707

Federal statute authorizing travel expenses for persons serving intermittently in government.

31 U.S.C. § 1535

Federal statute allowing agencies to enter agreements to obtain goods or services from other agencies.

What this order changes

Revokes Executive Order 13125

Executive Order

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Executive Order 14031: Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders | EO Reporter