Economy, finance and labor

Executive Order 12878: Bipartisan Commission on Entitlement Reform

President: Bill Clinton

Created a temporary bipartisan commission to examine long-term entitlement financing; the body completed its work and EO 12974 revoked the order as amended.

Status: Completed/expired. Is Executive Order 12878 still in effect? No. Executive Order 12878 is completed or expired. See Federal Register record.

What does Executive Order 12878 do?

EO 12878 created a bipartisan commission to study long-term entitlement spending and financing and report to the President. The commission issued an interim report in August 1994 and a final report in December 1994, but did not agree on a single reform package. Its final publication collected competing commissioners’ proposals and views. Those proposals were advisory and did not change benefits or taxes. EO 12974 revoked the establishing order as amended after the work ended.

Administration position: The order framed projected entitlement growth as a fiscal challenge requiring bipartisan recommendations. The commission was advisory and its analysis did not change benefits or taxes by itself.
SignedNovember 5, 1993
BodyBipartisan Commission on Entitlement Reform
PurposeLong-term review and recommendations

Before and after

Before the order

No EO 12878 commission existed to combine congressional and presidential appointees for this review.

After the order

The commission studied options and reported, but implementation required legislation or other lawful action.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
CommissionReview entitlement programs and financing and develop recommendationsDuring its temporary term
Executive agenciesProvide lawful information and supportOn request
Commission chairsTransmit the commission’s reportsUnder the amended timetable

What happened next

EO 12878 established the commission.

EO 12974 revoked the order after the commission’s work ended.