Domestic Policy Council

Domestic Policy Council
Executive Office of the President · Public domain · source
Name	Domestic Policy Council
Formed	0 1993
Preceding1	Office of Policy Development
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Chief1 name	Neera Tanden
Chief1 position	Director
Parent department	Executive Office of the President of the United States
Website	[https://www.whitehouse.gov/dpc/ WhiteHouse.gov/DPC]

Domestic Policy Council. The Domestic Policy Council is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering domestic policy matters and coordinating the development and implementation of the administration's domestic agenda. Established by Executive Order 12859 in 1993 under President Bill Clinton, it succeeded the Office of Policy Development. The council works closely with various Cabinet secretaries and agency heads to formulate and execute policies on a wide range of issues affecting the nation.

History and establishment

The council was formally created on August 16, 1993, by President Bill Clinton through Executive Order 12859, which reorganized the existing Executive Office of the President of the United States. This action consolidated the domestic policy staff functions previously housed within the Office of Policy Development, an entity that had existed since the administration of Jimmy Carter. The establishment aimed to provide a more streamlined and coordinated structure for domestic policy formulation, mirroring the role of the National Security Council for international affairs. Its creation reflected a desire for greater integration of policy advice from various executive departments, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Structure and organization

The council is headed by a Director, a position held by senior advisors such as Neera Tanden, Susan Rice, and Mona Sutphen. The Director typically holds the title of Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and oversees a staff of deputy and special assistants who are experts in specific policy fields. The council is physically located within the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, adjacent to the White House. Its structure includes numerous policy councils and offices focusing on specialized areas, which often collaborate with entities like the Office of Management and Budget and the Council of Economic Advisers. Membership in council meetings frequently includes the Vice President of the United States, the White House Chief of Staff, and relevant Cabinet Secretaries.

Functions and responsibilities

The primary function is to coordinate the development and implementation of all domestic policy across the Federal government of the United States. It advises the President on domestic priorities, from health care reform to infrastructure investment. The council manages the interagency process, ensuring that different departments like the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Labor work in concert. It is responsible for crafting policy proposals, reviewing agency regulations, and preparing the President for engagements with Congress, state governors, and mayors. The council also plays a key role in shaping the administration's annual budget submissions and legislative strategy.

Key initiatives and policy areas

Throughout various administrations, the council has been central to major domestic initiatives. Under President Barack Obama, it was instrumental in developing the Affordable Care Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. During the administration of George W. Bush, it worked on policies like the No Child Left Behind Act and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. More recently, under President Joe Biden, the council has coordinated policy on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and initiatives on climate change, student loan debt, and competition policy. Its policy portfolio consistently includes healthcare, education, immigration, criminal justice, and economic inequality.

Relationship with other executive offices

The council operates in close conjunction with several other key units within the Executive Office of the President of the United States. It maintains a particularly strong working relationship with the National Economic Council, often co-chairing task forces on issues like technology or manufacturing. It coordinates with the Office of Management and Budget on regulatory review and budget formulation. On issues with overlapping domestic and international dimensions, such as pandemic response or trade, it collaborates with the National Security Council. The council also liaises with the Office of Public Engagement and the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to gather external stakeholder input.

List of directors

* Carol Rasco (1993–1996) – under President Bill Clinton * Bruce Reed (1996–2001) – under President Bill Clinton * John Bridgeland (2001–2002) – under President George W. Bush * Margaret Spellings (2002–2005) – under President George W. Bush * Karl Zinsmeister (2006–2009) – under President George W. Bush * Melody Barnes (2009–2012) – under President Barack Obama * Cecilia Muñoz (2012–2017) – under President Barack Obama * Andrew Bremberg (2017–2019) – under President Donald Trump * Joe Grogan (2019–2020) – under President Donald Trump * Susan Rice (2021–2023) – under President Joe Biden * Neera Tanden (2023–present) – under President Joe Biden

Category:Executive Office of the President of the United States Category:Domestic policy in the United States Category:1993 establishments in the United States