Executive Order 14391

Adjusting Certain Delegations Under the Defense Production Act

Signed March 13, 2026, printed at 91 FR 13199. 3 sections of substance, 531 words.

In plain English

This order changes a 2012 order. That order shares out defense supply powers. It adds the Energy Department to one of them.

Read it at the Federal Register →

Sec. 1. Purpose

This order amends Executive Order 13603 of March 16, 2012 (National Defense Resources Preparedness). Executive Order 13603 delegates certain authorities of the President under the Defense Production Act (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.), to specified executive department and agency (agency) heads. This order also clarifies section 2(a) of Executive Order 14156 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency).

In plain English

This changes a 2012 order. That order deals with defense supplies. It hands out some of the President's powers. A production law grants those powers. Agency heads use them. This order shifts who holds what. It also makes one part of a January 2025 order clearer. That order named an energy emergency.

Sec. 2.

Amendment to Executive Order 13603. Section 203 of Executive Order 13603 is hereby amended by striking the phrase ``Secretary of Commerce'' and inserting, in lieu thereof, ``Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy, each of whom may exercise such delegated authority independently of the other''.

In plain English

This changes one section of a 2012 order. That section named the Commerce secretary. The Energy secretary is added beside it. Either may now use the power. Neither needs the other to act. Each works on its own.

Sec. 3.

Clarifying Section 2(a) of Executive Order 14156. For the avoidance of doubt, an agency head need only recommend action to the President under section 2(a) of Executive Order 14156 when the authority to take the recommended action is vested in the President alone and has not been delegated. Section 2(a) of Executive Order 14156 does not require an agency head to make a recommendation to the President when the agency head has authority to take the action by virtue of a delegation pursuant to Executive Order 13603 or other Presidential delegation.

In plain English

This clears up one duty. An energy order tells agency heads to ask the President to act. This says when that is needed. It is needed only if the power rests with the President. It must not have been handed to anyone else. If a head already holds the power, no request is needed. A 2012 order handed out many such powers.

Sec. 4. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(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. [[Page 13200]] (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. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Energy. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, March 13, 2026.

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.