White House Fellows Program Authorization Act

(1) The White House Fellows Program was established by Executive Order 11183, issued October 3, 1964, to provide gifted and highly motivated Americans with first-hand experience in the process of governing the Nation.

(2) Since its founding, the Program has produced nearly 900 alumni who have gone on to leadership positions in the military, business, education, media, philanthropy, and government.

(3) Despite its longstanding contribution to public service and leadership development, the Program has never been authorized by statute.

(4) Codifying the Program in law will ensure its continuity, provide a stable statutory basis for its administration and funding, and formally recognize its value to the United States Government.

The term Commission means the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships established under section 4.

The term Director means the Director of the Office of Personnel Management.

The term Fellow means an individual selected to participate in the Program under section 5.

The term Program means the White House Fellows Program established under section 4.

There is established in the Executive Office of the President a program to be known as the White House Fellows Program, the purpose of which is to provide outstanding citizens of the United States with first-hand experience working at senior levels of the Federal Government and a sense of personal involvement in the leadership of the Nation.

There is established the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships (in this Act referred to as the Commission), which shall continue the functions performed under Executive Order 11183 (as amended) as of the date of enactment of this Act.

The Commission shall be composed of not more than 30 members, appointed by the President, who shall serve without compensation for their service on the Commission.

Members shall be private citizens of the United States broadly representative of the regions, professions, and backgrounds of the Nation, and shall be selected on a nonpartisan basis.

The President shall designate a Chair of the Commission from among its members.

Members shall serve at the pleasure of the President.

The Commission shall—

(1) establish criteria and procedures for the recruitment, screening, and selection of Fellows, consistent with section 5;

(2) recommend to the President the individuals to be selected as Fellows in each program year;

(3) design and oversee an educational program for Fellows, including seminars, roundtable discussions, and study travel; and

(4) submit the report required under section 8.

The Commission shall recommend not fewer than 11 and not more than 19 individuals for selection as Fellows in each program year, subject to the availability of appropriations.

To be eligible for selection as a Fellow, an individual shall—

(1) be a citizen of the United States;

(2) have completed an undergraduate degree;

(3) be early in his or her chosen career;

(4) demonstrate unusual ability, high moral character, outstanding motivation, and a broad capacity for leadership; and

(5) show exceptional promise of future development.

Selection of Fellows shall be made without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or political affiliation.

An individual who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government at the time of application shall not be eligible for selection as a Fellow, except that active-duty members of the Armed Forces shall remain eligible.

The President shall make the final selection of Fellows from among the individuals recommended by the Commission.

Except as provided in subsection (b), a fellowship under the Program shall be for a term of 12 months, beginning on the date specified by the Commission.

The Commission may, in its discretion, extend the term of a fellowship for not more than an additional 3 months.

A Fellow shall serve as a full-time employee of the agency or office to which the Fellow is assigned and shall receive pay and benefits consistent with the applicable rates of pay under the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, as determined by the Director.

Fellows shall be assigned to serve senior officials of the Executive Office of the President, the heads of executive departments and agencies, or other senior Federal officials, as determined by the Commission in consultation with such officials.

A member of the Armed Forces selected as a Fellow shall remain subject to the provisions of title 10, United States Code, and to applicable service regulations governing fellowship participation, including any post-fellowship service obligation established by the Secretary concerned.

The Director shall provide administrative, budgetary, and personnel support necessary for the operation of the Program and the Commission.

The Director may appoint and fix the pay of such staff as may be necessary to carry out this Act, in accordance with applicable provisions of title 5, United States Code.

Federal agencies may, upon request of the Director and with the consent of the employing agency, detail personnel to assist in the administration of the Program without reimbursement.

(1) the number of individuals selected as Fellows during the preceding program year;

(2) a summary of the agencies and offices to which Fellows were assigned;

(3) an accounting of amounts expended in carrying out the Program; and

(4) any recommendations of the Commission for legislative or administrative changes to improve the Program.