Executive Orders on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

The Office of Civil Rights has been tasked with overseeing the successful implementation of the following executive orders and presidential memorandums within the Department of Commerce.

Executive Order 14035

On June 25, 2021, President Biden released Executive Order 14035: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce. This executive order seeks to create a Government-wide initiative to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).

More information about this executive order can be found here.

Executive Order 13985

Released on January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government directs federal agencies to evaluate whether their policies produce racially inequitable results when implemented, and to make the necessary changes to ensure underserved communities are properly supported.

[Add more here, information about Commerce Equity Team and Commerce Equity Report.]

More information about this executive order can be found here.

Executive Order 14091

Executive Order 14091: Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government

Executive Order (EO) 14091 addresses specific barriers still faced by underserved communities by requiring federal agencies to integrate equity into planning and decision-making. The EO builds upon other executive orders and directives concerning equity and environmental justice.  EO 14091 extends and strengthens equity-advancing requirements for federal agencies with the intent to deliver better outcomes for the American people. The EO outlines a multi-pronged approach to advancing equity through the federal government, further defines equity-related terms, including equitable development, community wealth building, equitable data, and algorithmic discrimination. 

Executive Order 14031

Executive Order 14031: Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders establishes a White House initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, as well as a Presidential Advisory Commission, both of which aim to advance equity, justice, and opportunity among these groups.

More information about this executive order can be found here.

Executive Order 13988

Executive Order 13988: Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation expands the discrimination protections previous offered solely on the basis of sex into the categories of gender identity and sexual orientation.

More information about this executive order can be found here.

Presidential Memorandums

President Biden has released two presidential memorandums concerning DEIA: Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States and Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Around the World.

More information about these presidential memorandums can be found here.

Implementation of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Executive Orders and Related Initiatives

DEIA Council

In order to better manage the various responsibilities outlined in President Biden’s DEIA-related executive orders and memorandums, the Department of Commerce has created the DEIA Council.

Additional information will be added here in the near future. 

DEIA Council Initiatives

Additional information will be added here in the near future.