Approving Critical Position Pay Authority for National Security Investment Workforce

The order directs federal agencies to designate up to 400 positions supporting national security–related investment programs as eligible for critical position pay and authorizes the Office of Personnel Management, with OMB consultation, to allocate those positions and approve agency requests. It permits setting basic pay rates up to $400,000, subject to market comparability and national security urgency, and requires OPM oversight and conditions to ensure the pay authority is used only to recruit or retain exceptionally qualified investment, engineering, financial, and legal professionals for critical minerals, advanced materials, and related supply‑chain resilience efforts.