The President has issued an Executive order excusing executive branch non-Postal Service employees from duty on Monday, December 24, 2012, except those who, in the judgment of the head of the agency, cannot be excused for reasons of national security, defense, or other essential public need. (See Attachment 1.) For pay and leave purposes, December 24, 2012, will be treated as falling within the scope of statutes and Executive orders governing holidays for Federal employees.