Executive actions versus executive orders

[aikoaiko]

Is there technical difference between these phases?

Most of the news reports are using the phrase executive actions, but some use orders.

PBS used actions
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/01/president-announces-executive-actions-for-gun-control.html

MotherJones used actions
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/01/white-house-guns-action-executive-orders-legislation

Slate used orders
http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2013/01/16/read_president_obama_s_new_proposed_executive_orders_and_legislation_on.html

[Tx4obama]

1. Here's a bit of info

Executive order: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_order
Also, executive orders are official documents, numbered consecutively, and appear in the Federal Registry: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/executive-orders/disposition.html

Presidential determination: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_determination

Presidential memorandum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_memorandum



Edited to add...
A simple 'presidential proposal' is basically a 'to-do list', things he will do or wishes for someone else to do like Congress.
I noticed that one of the 23 proposals Obama laid out was to 'appoint a permanent ATF director' - regarding that one Obama will 'appoint' a director by sending the 'appointment' to the Senate to hold a hearing and have a confirmation hearing.

So, all the things in the 23 proposal list could be / will be accomplished in different ways.

[ChirpChirp]

2. Spot on