Executive Order 13985, officially titled Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, was the first
executive order
In the United States, an executive order is a directive by the president of the United States that manages operations of the federal government. The legal or constitutional basis for executive orders has multiple sources. Article Two of the ...
signed by U.S. President
Joe Biden
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (born November 20, 1942) is an American politician who was the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice p ...
on January 20, 2021. It directed the federal government to revise agency policies to account for racial inequities in their implementation. It was
rescinded by
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...
within hours of
his assuming office on January 20, 2025.
Provisions
According to the order, converging economic, health, and climate crises have exposed and exacerbated inequities. The order, therefore, announces that the Biden administration will pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, in particular by fighting systemic racism. By promoting the federal government's equality, we can generate chances to strengthen historically neglected neighborhoods that benefit everyone. A study, for instance, suggests that narrowing racial divisions in salaries, home loans, lending possibilities, and access to higher education would equal $5 trillion more in the U.S. economy in the next five years. The federal government's objective to promote equity is to provide everyone the chance to achieve their full potential.
Each agency must examine, in accordance with these goals, whether its programs and policies maintain structural obstacles to opportunities and benefits for persons of color and other under-served groups and what extent. Such evaluations would better enable agencies to formulate policies and programs that provide equitable resources and benefits for all.
Effects
Within sixty days of the date of the order, the heads of federal departments are to consider halting, revising, or rescinding all activity related to or resulting from Donald Trump's Executive Order 13950.
The order established an Interagency Working Group on Equitable Data, consisting of various department heads.
See also
*
List of executive actions by Joe Biden
Listed below are executive orders numbered 13985–14146, presidential proclamations, presidential memoranda, national security memoranda, presidential determinations, presidential sequestration orders, and presidential notices signed by ...
References
External links
Federal RegisterExecutive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
{{authority control
2021 in American law
Executive orders of Joe Biden
January 2021 in the United States