Presidential Commission

Contents

Presidential Commission is a high-level United States government agency established by the President of the United States to address specific issues, such as September 11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. These commissions are typically composed of experts from various fields, including Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency, and Central Intelligence Agency. The commissions are tasked with investigating and reporting on significant events, such as the Watergate scandal, Iran-Contra affair, and Pearl Harbor attack. They often work in conjunction with other government agencies, including the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Congress of the United States.

Definition and Purpose

A Presidential Commission is a temporary or permanent body established by the President of the United States to investigate, analyze, and report on a specific issue or problem, such as the Challenger disaster, Three Mile Island accident, and Love Canal. The purpose of these commissions is to provide an independent and impartial review of the issue, often involving Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and Environmental Protection Agency. They are typically composed of experts from various fields, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The commissions are tasked with identifying the causes of a problem, such as the Great Depression, 2008 financial crisis, and Enron scandal, and recommending solutions, often in consultation with International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and European Union.

The history of Presidential Commissions dates back to the early days of the United States, with the establishment of the Commission on Industrial Relations in 1913, which involved Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since then, numerous commissions have been established to address a wide range of issues, including the Great Society programs, Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Vietnam War. Some notable examples include the Warren Commission, established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the Assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the 9/11 Commission, established by President George W. Bush to investigate the September 11 attacks, which involved Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and National Institute of Standards and Technology. These commissions have often worked in conjunction with other government agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and National Security Agency.

The structure and membership of Presidential Commissions vary depending on the specific issue or problem being addressed, often involving United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, and Supreme Court of the United States. They are typically composed of experts from various fields, including academia, industry, and government, such as University of California, Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, and Georgia Institute of Technology. The commissions are often chaired by a prominent figure, such as a former Governor of California, Mayor of New York City, or Chief Justice of the United States. The membership of the commission may include representatives from various government agencies, such as the Department of State, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy, as well as experts from private sector organizations, including Google, Microsoft, and General Electric.

There have been many notable Presidential Commissions throughout history, including the Roosevelt Commission, established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to investigate the Pearl Harbor attack, and the Church Committee, established by President Gerald Ford to investigate intelligence agency abuses, which involved Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and National Security Agency. Other notable examples include the Tower Commission, established by President Ronald Reagan to investigate the Iran-Contra affair, and the 9/11 Commission, established by President George W. Bush to investigate the September 11 attacks, which involved Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and National Institute of Standards and Technology. These commissions have often had a significant impact on United States policy, including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, USA PATRIOT Act, and Homeland Security Act.

Presidential Commissions have significant powers and authority, including the ability to subpoena witnesses and documents, often in conjunction with Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, and Securities and Exchange Commission. They are also authorized to conduct investigations and gather evidence, often involving National Security Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, and Department of Justice. The commissions are typically granted access to classified information and are authorized to make recommendations to the President of the United States and Congress of the United States, including United States Senate and United States House of Representatives. They often work in conjunction with other government agencies, including the Department of State, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy.

The impact and legacy of Presidential Commissions can be significant, often leading to changes in United States policy and legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and USA PATRIOT Act. The commissions' reports and recommendations are often widely publicized and can have a significant influence on public opinion, including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. They can also lead to the establishment of new government agencies or programs, such as the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration, which involved Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and Environmental Protection Agency. Overall, Presidential Commissions play an important role in addressing significant issues and problems facing the United States, often in conjunction with International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and European Union. Category:United States government agencies