Bush transfer of power

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Seal of the President of the United States

George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States

The Bush transfer of power occurred on the morning of June 29, 2002, when United States President George W. Bush temporarily transferred the powers of the office to Vice President Dick Cheney. Bush was the second President to temporarily transfer the powers and responsibilities of his office to the Vice President; Ronald Reagan was the first.

1 Background
2 Invocation letter
3 Revocation letter
4 Notes
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Background

President Bush was scheduled to undergo a colonoscopy procedure on the morning of June 29, 2002, during which time he would be under light sedation. Just nine months after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and with U.S. troops at war in Afghanistan, President Bush was intent on ensuring that in the event of a crisis there would be no question of Vice President Cheney's authority. When asked by the press about the decision to transfer power, Bush replied "I did so because we're at war and I just want to be super — you know, super cautious."^[1]

At 7:09 a.m. that day, Bush signed a letter to invoke the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He then gave the letters to White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales, who transmitted them by facsimile to Speaker of the House of Representatives Dennis Hastert, President pro tempore of the Senate Robert Byrd, and Vice President Cheney. Gonzales called Hastert's and Byrd's offices to confirm receipt of the letters, and then contacted the Vice President to advise him of the transfer.^[2]

When the speaker and president pro-tempore received the letters, executive authority was transferred to Vice President Cheney, who became Acting President. Unlike the letter drafted by Ronald Reagan which temporarily transferred power to George H. W. Bush on July 13, 1985, there was no perception of ambiguity regarding Bush's intent, as he explicitly cited Section Three of the 25th Amendment.

Following the procedure, at 9:24 a.m. Bush transmitted a second letter to the House Speaker and President pro tempore, formally declaring himself capable of resuming presidential authority.

Although the public was aware that the temporary handover would take place, for security purposes, the time that it actually occurred was not revealed until after Bush resumed his duties as President.

The text of each letter is below.^[3]

[edit] Invocation letter

Vice President Richard Cheney was the second person to become Acting President under the provision of the 25th Amendment on June 29, 2002.

June 29, 2002 (0709 hours)

Dear Mr. Speaker (Mr. President:)

As my staff has previously communicated to you, I will undergo this morning a routine medical procedure requiring sedation. In view of present circumstances, I have determined to transfer temporarily my Constitutional powers and duties to the Vice President during the brief period of the procedure and recovery.

Accordingly, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, this letter shall constitute my written declaration that I am unable to discharge the Constitutional powers and duties of the office of President of the United States. Pursuant to Section 3, the Vice President shall discharge those powers and duties as Acting President until I transmit to you a written declaration that I am able to resume the discharge of those powers and duties.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

[edit] Revocation letter

Dear Mr. Speaker (Mr. President:)

In accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, this letter shall constitute my written declaration that I am presently able to resume the discharge of the Constitutional powers and duties of the office of President of the United States. With the transmittal of this letter, I am resuming those powers and duties effective immediately.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH