Auto Communities Council (E.O. 13509)

Summary

Creates a White House group to coordinate federal help for car industry workers and towns hurt by major job losses.

What problem does this solve?

The American auto industry lost hundreds of thousands of jobs, leading to high unemployment and poverty in many towns. This order creates a special council to organize the government's efforts to help these specific workers and communities recover.

What does this order do?

Establishes the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers

Creates a new council within the Executive Office of the President to focus on the problems facing the auto industry.

Defines the council's mission

Tasks the council with leading and coordinating federal policies, advising the President, and recommending program changes to help auto communities and workers.

Appoints high-level government officials as members

Includes numerous Cabinet Secretaries and senior White House advisors as members, co-chaired by the Secretary of Labor and the Director of the National Economic Council.

Requires outreach to outside groups

Directs the council to meet with and listen to non-profits, businesses, labor unions, and state and local governments to gather ideas and understand their concerns.

Sets a two-year time limit for the council

Specifies that the council will automatically end two years from the date of the order unless the President chooses to extend it.

Who does this affect?

Auto industry workers
Communities reliant on the auto industry

What is the real world impact?

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Coordinates federal aid for a struggling industry

Creates a central group to ensure that all parts of the federal government are working together to help auto workers and towns affected by job losses. This prevents different agencies from working at cross-purposes and makes aid more effective.

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Shows political support for a key group of workers

Forms a high-profile council to address a crisis affecting a major part of the American workforce. This action signals to workers in manufacturing states that the government is focused on their problems.

When does this start?

This order became effective on June 23, 2009, and includes a future deadline for when the council will end.

Council Termination

The council is set to end on June 23, 2011, which is two years after the order was signed, unless the President extends it.