NLC Statement on President Biden Rescinding Previous Administration’s Executive Orders

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, February 24, President Biden issued an Executive Order on the Revocation of Certain Presidential Actions. Following the signature of the executive action, Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities (NLC) issued the following statement: 

“The National League of Cities applauds President Biden for taking steps to rescind previous harmful Executive Orders and memorandums that have a direct negative impact on municipal governments and America’s residents.   

Cities, towns and villages appreciate the roll back of the “Memorandum on Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients That Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities.” NLC issued a statement in opposition to the memorandum due to the politically charged effort to withhold funding from cities. Now more than ever, we need strong cities to ensure America’s residents can make it through the ongoing public health, economic and social crises facing communities everywhere.  

NLC also appreciates the recission of “Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility” Executive Order, which directed agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revise categorical eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formally known as food stamps. This rule change cut-out a significant number of our residents who depend on SNAP and TANF to bridge the gap when self-sufficiency is not possible. NLC submitted comments to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, arguing that the proposed changes would have a directly negative impact on the economic vitality of our communities, including the health and well-being of residents.  

As the voice of our nation’s over 19,000 municipalities, NLC believes it is important that all executive actions be paired with meaningful legislation in Congress to create a lasting impact on these important issues. We urge Congress and the Biden Administration to work together in the days ahead to address the issues that keep our nation’s local leaders and residents up at night, including  supporting local governments with direct relief in response to COVID-19.” 

NLC is committed to tracking the executive orders and memorandums most relevant to our National Municipal Policy and any executive actions with critical importance to America’s cities, towns and villages.