Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Exempts Agencies with National Security Missions from Federal Collective Bargaining Requirements

March 27, 2025

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Action Summary

Purpose: Protect national security by exempting key Federal agencies from collective bargaining requirements, ensuring swift decision-making and agency responsiveness.
Legal Authority: Action executed under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA) to prevent union-induced delays and obstructions.
Agencies with National Security Missions:
- National Defense: Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Coast Guard.
- Border Security: Components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DOJ’s Executive Office of Immigration Review, and the Office of Refugee Resettlement within HHS.
- Foreign Relations: Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, and U.S. International Trade Commission.
- Energy Security: Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Interior units overseeing domestic energy production.
- Pandemic Preparedness: Key components within HHS and the Department of Agriculture focused on health emergencies, including COVID-19 and bird flu responses.
- Cybersecurity: Offices of the Chief Information Officer across departments, DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, FCC, and General Services Administration (GSA).
- Economic Defense: Department of Treasury, safeguarding financial stability and economic strength.
- Public Safety: Most components of the Department of Justice and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Operational Rationale: Prevent union controls from locking agencies into existing collective bargaining agreements that inhibit timely policy and operational changes critical to national security.
Union Obstruction Concerns: Cited ongoing union grievances and delays—such as those experienced with VA policies—that justify intervention to maintain effective agency management.
National Security Emphasis: Reinforces that trade, health, cybersecurity, energy, and law enforcement policies are integral to U.S. national security, necessitating unobstructed executive action.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order to exempt agencies with national security missions from federal collective bargaining requirements could lead to significant changes in how these agencies operate, potentially affecting their efficiency and responsiveness.
There is a risk that the removal of collective bargaining rights could lead to decreased morale and increased turnover among federal employees, which may impact the stability and effectiveness of these agencies.
The decision to bypass collective bargaining could result in legal challenges or disputes, which may create uncertainty and disrupt agency operations.
Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes could affect its partnerships and collaborations with federal agencies, particularly those involved in research and development, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Research Collaborations with federal agencies like the NSF and the Department of Energy may be impacted by changes in agency operations and priorities due to the removal of collective bargaining rights.
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center may need to monitor changes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operations, as it serves as a backstop healthcare provider during national emergencies.
Cybersecurity Research at Vanderbilt could be affected by changes in the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency operations, which may alter funding and collaboration opportunities.

Financial Impact

The removal of collective bargaining rights could lead to changes in federal funding priorities, potentially affecting grant opportunities for research institutions like Vanderbilt University.
Vanderbilt may need to adjust its strategies for securing federal research funding, particularly in areas related to national security and cybersecurity.
There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to engage in research and development projects with federal agencies that are seeking to enhance their operational efficiency and effectiveness in the absence of collective bargaining constraints.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential changes in federal agency operations that could impact research collaborations and funding opportunities.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should closely monitor changes in federal policies related to national security and collective bargaining, particularly those affecting agencies like the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation. Understanding these changes will be crucial for maintaining and potentially expanding research collaborations and funding opportunities.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) should prepare for potential impacts on healthcare services and research funding, especially in areas related to pandemic preparedness and response. Engaging with federal agencies to ensure compliance and alignment with new policies could mitigate risks and open up new avenues for collaboration.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the implications of the executive order on federal unions and national security. This research can provide valuable insights into the broader impacts on public administration and governance, enhancing Vanderbilt’s role as a thought leader in political science.
Vanderbilt’s Cybersecurity Program should evaluate the potential effects of changes in cybersecurity policies on research and educational initiatives. By aligning with federal cybersecurity priorities, the program can enhance its curriculum and research focus, positioning Vanderbilt as a leader in cybersecurity education.
Vanderbilt’s Economic Research Center should analyze the economic implications of the executive order, particularly in relation to the Department of Treasury’s role in economic defense. This analysis can inform strategic decisions and policy recommendations, contributing to national discussions on economic security.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to expand its research in cybersecurity and infrastructure security. By leveraging its expertise, the school can contribute to the development of innovative solutions that align with national security priorities.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on national security by developing new programs and partnerships with federal agencies involved in energy security and pandemic preparedness. This could include joint research initiatives and collaborative projects, enhancing Vanderbilt’s reputation and reach in these critical areas.
The emphasis on safeguarding American interests offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Law School to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the school can influence how legal frameworks are developed and implemented to support national security objectives.
By engaging with the broader national security community and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on security and governance. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of the executive order can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative thought and practice in these areas.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to impacts on research funding and national security collaborations.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.6

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – No specific timeline or deadline directives for implementation are mentioned in the text.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Defense: Exempt from collective bargaining requirements among agencies with national security missions.
Department of Veterans Affairs: Tasked with serving as a backstop healthcare provider during wartime and now affected by the exemption.
National Science Foundation: Its research supporting military and cybersecurity breakthroughs is included under the exemption.
Coast Guard: Listed among agencies with national security missions that are exempt.
Department of Homeland Security: Its leadership components, along with subordinate agencies like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are impacted.
Department of Justice (DOJ): The Executive Office of Immigration Review and other DOJ components related to public safety are affected.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Through the Office of Refugee Resettlement and its health-related agencies (CDC, FDA, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response), HHS is included.
Department of State: Its role in foreign relations is impacted by the order.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): Affected as part of foreign relations efforts.
Department of Commerce – International Trade Administration: Included for its role in linking trade policy with national security.
U.S. International Trade Commission: Another agency working on foreign economic strategies affected by the order.
Department of Energy: Included under energy security responsibilities.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Impacted as part of the energy security framework.
Environmental Protection Agency: Listed among agencies governing domestic energy production.
Department of the Interior: Its units governing domestic energy production are affected.
Department of Agriculture: Through its Office of General Counsel, Food Safety and Inspection Service, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, it is affected via pandemic preparedness and response measures.
Cabinet-level Departments’ Chief Information Officers: These offices are impacted under the cybersecurity measures specified in the order.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): Tasked with overseeing cybersecurity as part of the exemption.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Its role in protecting telecommunications networks is included.
General Services Administration (GSA): Supports cybersecurity efforts across agencies.
Department of the Treasury: Included under the economic defense category, ensuring financial stability and tax collection.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Implicated under public safety measures in the order.

Relevance Score: 5 (The directive applies broadly across more than 16 government agencies.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Defense – Oversees implementation of the exemption within the Department of Defense and associated national defense agencies.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Responsible for executing the directive in the VA to end collective bargaining, ensuring mission-critical operations are uninterrupted.
Administrator of the National Science Foundation – Charged with aligning NSF-funded research with national security priorities while complying with the new bargaining exemption.
Commandant of the Coast Guard – Implements the collective bargaining exemption for the Coast Guard as part of the national defense mission.
Secretary of Homeland Security – Oversees the DHS leadership and its components (including USCIS and ICE), ensuring the directive on collective bargaining is applied in border security agencies.
Secretary of State – Directly responsible for applying the exemptions in foreign affairs agencies, including USAID and trade-related bodies.
Secretary of Energy – Manages the energy security directives across Energy Department units, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, EPA, and relevant Interior units.
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Implements the exemption in pandemic preparedness functions within HHS, including oversight of the CDC, FDA, and related offices.
Secretary of the Treasury – Ensures that economic defense operations under the Treasury function without union bargaining hindrances.
Attorney General – Oversees Department of Justice components and FEMA in ensuring that the directive on collective bargaining does not impede public safety and law enforcement operations.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect White House or Cabinet officials responsible for high-level policy implementation across national security agencies.)