Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos
This executive order directs federal agencies to eliminate barriers to data access and promote information sharing to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
It mandates that agency heads take steps to ensure designated officials have access to unclassified agency records and data, rescind guidance hindering information sharing, and provide unfettered access to data from federally funded state programs.
The order also calls for a review of classified information policies and includes provisions for implementing the order consistent with existing laws and budget limitations.
Arguments For
Improved Government Efficiency: Removing barriers to data access should streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, leading to cost savings and faster responses to critical issues.
Enhanced Fraud Detection: Increased data sharing across agencies will facilitate better identification and prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse of federal funds.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Greater access to comprehensive data allows for more informed and effective policy decisions.
Strengthened Accountability: Enhanced transparency and data sharing foster greater accountability within government agencies.
Legal Basis: The order is issued under the President's authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
Arguments Against
Privacy Concerns: Increased data sharing may raise privacy concerns regarding sensitive information.
Implementation Challenges: Integrating disparate data systems and ensuring consistent data security across agencies might be technically difficult and costly.
Unintended Consequences: The order's broad scope could lead to unforeseen negative impacts on agency operations or lead to unintended consequences.
Potential for Overreach: The mandate for access to state program data could be interpreted as federal overreach into state affairs.
Resource Constraints: Successful implementation requires adequate funding and staffing resources.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. Removing unnecessary barriers to Federal employees accessing Government data and promoting inter‑agency data sharing are important steps toward eliminating bureaucratic duplication and inefficiency while enhancing the Government’s ability to detect overpayments and fraud.
Sec. 2. Definitions. (a) “Agency” has the meaning given to it in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code, except that such term does not include the Executive Office of the President or any components thereof.
(b) “Agency Head” means the highest-ranking official of an agency, such as the Secretary, Administrator, or Director. With respect to multimember agencies, “Agency Head” means the Chairman or equivalent official.
Sec. 3. Eliminating Information Silos. (a) Agency Heads shall take all necessary steps, to the maximum extent consistent with law, to ensure Federal officials designated by the President or Agency Heads (or their designees) have full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, data, software systems, and information technology systems — or their equivalents if providing access to an equivalent dataset does not delay access — for purposes of pursuing Administration priorities related to the identification and elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse. This includes authorizing and facilitating both the intra- and inter-agency sharing and consolidation of unclassified agency records.
(b) Within 30 days of the date of this order, Agency Heads shall, to the maximum extent consistent with law, rescind or modify all agency guidance that serves as a barrier to the inter- or intra-agency sharing of unclassified information specified in subsection (a) of this section. Agency Heads shall also review agency regulations governing unclassified data access, including system of records notices, and, within 30 days of the date of this order, submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget cataloging those regulations and recommending whether any should be eliminated or modified to achieve the goals set forth in this order. Regulatory modifications pursuant to this order are exempt from Executive Order 14192.
(c) Immediately upon execution of this order, Agency Heads shall take all necessary steps, to the maximum extent consistent with law, to ensure the Federal Government has unfettered access to comprehensive data from all State programs that receive Federal funding, including, as appropriate, data generated by those programs but maintained in third-party databases.
(d) Immediately upon execution of this order and without limiting the above directives, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary’s designees shall receive, to the maximum extent consistent with law, unfettered access to all unemployment data and related payment records, including all such data and records currently available to the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
(e) This order supersedes any prior Executive Orders and rules or regulations subject to direct Presidential rulemaking authority to the extent they serve as a barrier to the inter- or intra-agency sharing of unclassified information as specified in this order.
(f) Agency Heads shall conduct a review of classified information policies to determine whether they result in the classification of materials beyond what is necessary to protect critical national security interests and, within 45 days of the date of this order, submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget cataloguing those classified information policies and recommending whether any should be eliminated or modified to achieve the goals set forth in this order.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE, March 20, 2025.
The order's purpose is to improve government efficiency and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse by increasing data access and sharing.
Section 1 states the purpose.
Section 2 defines key terms like 'Agency' and 'Agency Head'.
Section 3 outlines actions to eliminate information silos, including mandates for data access, modification of hindering guidance, and submission of reports.
Section 3 also addresses access to state program data and unemployment data.
Section 3 clarifies that this order supersedes conflicting prior orders and establishes a review process for classified information policies.
Section 4 includes general provisions, clarifying that the order does not impact existing legal authorities or OMB functions and that implementation is subject to available appropriations and creates no new legal rights.