Technology and cybersecurity

Executive Order 12907: Amending Executive Order No. 12882, President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology

President: Bill Clinton

Raised the Clinton-era President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology from 16 to 19 members; a successor PCAST order later revoked the framework.

Status: Revoked.

Is Executive Order 12907 still in effect? No. Ended with the Clinton PCAST framework when EO 13226 revoked EO 12882 as amended in 2001.

What does Executive Order 12907 do?

EO 12907 raised the permitted membership of the Clinton-era PCAST from 16 to 19, including up to 18 nonfederal members, while leaving its advisory remit unchanged. A March 1997 PCAST panel report on educational technology documents one later product of the expanded committee’s work. It offered recommendations to the President; the report does not show that the three added seats caused those recommendations or that agencies adopted them. EO 13226 revoked the parent order as amended in 2001.

Administration position: Adding three advisers broadened the possible expertise available to the President. It did not change federal research budgets or give PCAST decision-making power.
SignedApril 14, 1994
Total membershipIncreased from 16 to 19
Nonfederal membersIncreased from 15 to 18

Before and after

Before the order

EO 12882 provided for 16 members, 15 from outside government.

After the order

The Clinton PCAST could include 19 members, 18 from outside government, until replacement.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
PresidentAppoint up to three additional nonfederal advisersDuring the Clinton PCAST term
PCASTContinue its existing advisory workUntil the parent order was revoked

What happened next

EO 12882 established the Clinton PCAST.

EO 12907 expanded membership.

EO 13226 revoked EO 12882 as amended and created a successor PCAST.