Obama Executive Orders

Since taking office on January 20, 2009, Barack Obama has signed a series of executive orders covering a range of issues.

On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed an executive order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls, whose main objectives will be to address the challenges and issues women and girls face daily and devise a coordinated federal response that ensures they are treated fairly in regards to public policy. It is headed by President Obama's assistant and senior adviser, Valerie Jarrett.The White House: President Obama Announces White House Council on Women and Girls (March 11, 2009)

On March 9 of 2009, Obama signed an executive order reversing the Bush Administration's restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research. George W. Bush had previously signed an executive order that restricted federal funding for research to be used only for the 60 cell lines already in use at that time.

Notable orders signed in the early days of Obama's presidency attempt to limit the influence of lobbyists on the executive branch of the government and to increase the transparency of the federal government.

Obama has also signed executive orders regarding the treatment of terror suspects and enemy combatants, the closure of the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and funding of international family planning groups. The Guantanamo Bay order in particular has caused some controversy, with critics arguing that it leaves the U.S. intelligence community ill-equipped to prevent future terrorist attacks.Wall Street Journal: Yoo: Obama Made a Rash Decision on Gitmo (January 29, 2009)

On January 26, 2009, Obama signed an executive order requesting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) looks into if California and other states can set stricter standards for auto emissions than the federal standards. The order will result in the re-examination of a decision by President George W. Bush that they could not do so.APP.com: Obama order would support NJ emissions stance (January 26, 2009)

Obama issued 3 executive orders on his first day in office:

1. Order 1: Open up presidential documents for public scrutinyLos Angeles Times: President Obama swiftly sets course on Day One (January 22, 2009)
2. Order 2: Expand access under Freedom of Information Act to government documentsLos Angeles Times: President Obama swiftly sets course on Day One (January 22, 2009)
3. Order 3: Executive branch employees must operate under principles of "openness" and "transparency"Los Angeles Times: President Obama swiftly sets course on Day One (January 22, 2009)