Reagan transfer of power Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
President Ronald Reagan underwent
surgery to remove cancerous
polyps from his
colon, resulting in the first use of Section 3 (the "
Acting President" provisions) of the
25th Amendment.
Background
At 11:28 that morning, Reagan transmitted a letter to the House Speaker and President pro tempore, formally invoking the 25th amendment for the first time, transferring presidential power to George H. W. Bush as Acting President.
At 7:22 that evening, he transmitted the following letter to the House Speaker and President pro tempore, declaring himself capable of resuming presidential authority. Below are the text of both letters:
Invocation Letter
- July 13, 1985 (1128 hours)
- Dear Mr. Speaker (Mr. President:)
- I am about to undergo surgery during which time I will be briefly and temporarily incapable of discharging the Constitutional powers and duties of the Office of the President of the United States.
- After consultation with my Counsel and the Attorney General, I am mindful of the provisions of Section 3 of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution and of the uncertainties of its application to such brief and temporary periods of incapacity. I do not believe that the drafters of this Amendment intended its application to situations such as the instant one.
- Nevertheless, consistent with my long-standing arrangement with Vice President George Bush, and not intending to set a precedent binding anyone privileged to hold this Office in the future, I have determined and it is my intention and direction that Vice President George Bush shall discharge those powers and duties in my stead commencing with the administration of anesthesia to me in this instance.
- I shall advise you and the Vice President when I determine that I am able to resume the discharge of the Constitutional powers and duties of this Office.
- May God bless this Nation and us all.
- Sincerely,
- Ronald Reagan
Revocation Letter
- Dear Mr. Speaker (Mr. President:)
- Following up on my letter to you of this date, please be advised I am able to resume the discharge of the Constitutional powers and duties of the Office of the President of the United States. I have informed the Vice President of my determination and my resumption of those powers and duties.
- Sincerely,
- Ronald Reagan
Invocation Myth
Some have debated whether or not Reagan's actions actually constituted an invocation of the 25th Amendment. This myth stemmed from the final sentence of the second paragraph of the letter transferring power:
- "I do not believe that the drafters of this Amendment intended its application to situations such as the instant one."
However, in the remainder of the document his intent is unequivocal, a fact that was later substantiated by Reagan's own post-presidential writings and statements on the subject.
See also
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