Executive Order 13956: Modernizing America's Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure
President: Donald J. Trump
Established a federal Water Subcabinet to coordinate water-resource management and infrastructure; EPA later designated agency representatives to implement the order.
Status: In effect. Sources: Executive Order 13956 signed text · U.S. Code executive-document note for EO 13956 · Federal Register executive order disposition table.
Is Executive Order 13956 still in effect? Yes. The October 13, 2020 order establishes the Water Subcabinet and requires annual updates under section 6 without a sunset. The Federal Register disposition table records no revocation; the fiscal-year 2021–2025 milestones do not terminate the order.
What does Executive Order 13956 do?
The order assigned these duties: President — Signed and issued the order; Environmental Protection Agency and partner agencies — Designated representatives to the Water Subcabinet and began coordinating the order’s actions.
Later primary evidence reviewed September 24, 2026: EPA announced agency designees for the Water Subcabinet created by EO 13956, an identifiable step toward implementing the order. Designation is documented; it does not by itself establish completion of the requested national water strategy or later continuity of the subcabinet.
Before and after
Before the order
Federal water programs operated under agency statutes and numerous interagency working groups before EO 13956 created a dedicated Water Subcabinet.
After the order
EPA announced agency designees for the Water Subcabinet created by EO 13956, an identifiable step toward implementing the order.
Designation is documented; it does not by itself establish completion of the requested national water strategy or later continuity of the subcabinet.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| President | Signed and issued the order | October 13, 2020 |
| Environmental Protection Agency and partner agencies | Designated representatives to the Water Subcabinet and began coordinating the order’s actions. | October 16, 2020 |
What happened next
Executive Order 13956 signed.
EPA announced agency designees for the Water Subcabinet created by EO 13956, an identifiable step toward implementing the order.
Later primary evidence reviewed; the documented action and its limits were added to this guide.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The executive order directs the executive branch under existing law. EPA — Water Subcabinet designees documents the subsequent step. Designation is documented; it does not by itself establish completion of the requested national water strategy or later continuity of the subcabinet.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
- EPA — Water Subcabinet designees (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 24, 2026. How we research →