National Economic Council

Agency overview
Formed	January 25, 1993
Headquarters	Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Employees	25
Agency executives	Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council Aviva Aron-Dine, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council Brendan Danaher, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council Jon Donenberg, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council Joelle Gamble, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council Leandra English, Chief of Staff of the National Economic Council
Parent agency	Office of Policy Development, Executive Office of the President of the United States
Website	National Economic Council Website

The National Economic Council (NEC) is the principal forum used by the president of the United States for the consideration of domestic and international economic policy matters with senior policymaking and Cabinet officials, and forms part of the Office of Policy Development^[1] which is within the Executive Office of the President of the United States.^[2]

Since the creation of the National Economic Council on January 25, 1993, its purpose is to coordinate domestic and international economic policy-making decisions; to advise the president on economic policy, with respect to domestic and international economic policy matters; to coordinate with various agencies across the federal government to establish consistent policy with the president's stated goals; and monitor the implementation of the economic agenda of the president.

The National Economic Council differs from the Domestic Policy Council, as it considers economic policy matters, while the Domestic Policy Council may consider anything which is related to domestic matters, with the exception of economic policy matters. It also differs from the Council of Economic Advisers, which provides research for the White House based on data, research, and evidence. The Council is also the principal arm of the president when coordinating his economic policies and goals among various other agencies.

The National Economic Council is headed by the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council. Since February 21, 2023, that position has been held by Lael Brainard.

Barack Obama meets with William M. Daley, Mark Zuckerman, Gene Sperling, Lael Brainard and Neal S. Wolin, 2011

History and mission

The National Economic Council^[3] was created on January 25, 1993 by Executive Order 12835 by President Bill Clinton, officially to coordinate the economic policy-making process with respect to domestic and international economic issues; to coordinate economic policy advice to the president; to ensure that economic policy decisions and programs are consistent with the president's stated goals, and to ensure that those goals are being effectively pursued; and to monitor implementation of the president's economic policy agenda.^[4] Clinton appointed Robert Rubin as Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council on January 25, 1993, the same day as the creation of the Council. The creation of the council also fulfilled a major promise by President Bill Clinton, to make the economy of the United States a priority.^[5]

Prior to the creation of the National Economic Council, economic policy staff had existed since the 1960's. President Lyndon B. Johnson assigned a senior aide to develop and organize domestic policy, of which economic policy was included. In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon issued an executive order which created the Office of Policy Development. President Clinton split the responsibilities of the Domestic Policy Council with the National Economic Council.^[6]

The Council is considered an important tool for presidential administrations to use to achieve their domestic, and international economic goals. Robert Rubin said that the purpose for the creation of the Council was to "fix a process problem" and according to Rubin, Clinton said that he believed that he needed to find "some process instrument" which would be able to perform the role and function necessary to advance the president's agenda, and allow agencies to deliberate, coordinate, and solve matters of economic importance. Rubin states another reason Clinton established the Council was "“integrate domestic and international economic policy and. . .integrate international economic policy and so-called foreign policy.” Instead of having two domestic and international domestic staff, the council would blend the two together.^[7]

Structure and membership

Additional members are added by the president of the United States, however the structure and membership of the National Economic Council, which is similar to that of the National Security Council is as follows:^[8][9]

President George W. Bush meets with his economic advisors on February 25, 2003.

Barack Obama meets with advisors in the Oval Office, Aug. 10, 2012

Directors of the National Economic Council

Image	Name		Start	End	President
		Bob Rubin	January 25, 1993	January 11, 1995		Bill Clinton
		Laura Tyson	February 21, 1995	December 12, 1996
		Gene Sperling	December 12, 1996	January 20, 2001
		Larry Lindsey	January 20, 2001	December 12, 2002		George W. Bush
		Steve Friedman	December 12, 2002	January 10, 2005
		Allan Hubbard	January 10, 2005	November 28, 2007
		Keith Hennessey	November 28, 2007	January 20, 2009
		Larry Summers	January 20, 2009	January 20, 2011		Barack Obama
		Gene Sperling	January 20, 2011	March 5, 2014
		Jeff Zients	March 5, 2014	January 20, 2017
		Gary Cohn	January 20, 2017	April 2, 2018		Donald Trump
		Larry Kudlow	April 2, 2018	January 20, 2021
		Brian Deese	January 20, 2021	February 21, 2023		Joe Biden
		Lael Brainard	February 21, 2023	present

References

Further reading

• Sarah Rosen Wartell. "The White House: National Economic Council." In Change for America: A Progressive Blueprint for the 44th President. Edited by Mark Green and Michele Jolin, pp. 15–22. Washington: The Center for American Progress Action Fund, 2008.

External links

• National Economic Council (Archive)