United States National Security Council |
The National Security Council (NSC) is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering
national security and foreign policy
matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials. Since its inception under President Harry Truman, the function of the Council has been to advise and assist the President on national security and
foreign policies. The Council also serves as the President's principal arm for coordinating these policies among various
government agencies.
Membership
The National Security Council is chaired by the President. Its regular attendees (both statutory and non-statutory) are the
Vice President of the United
States, the Secretary of State,
the Secretary of the
Treasury, the Secretary of
Defense, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (known
colloquially as the "national security advisor"). The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the statutory military advisor to the
Council, and the Director of Central
Intelligence is the intelligence advisor. The Chief of Staff to the President, Counsel to the President, and the Assistant to
the President for Economic Policy are invited to attend any NSC meeting. The Attorney General and the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget are invited to attend meetings pertaining to their responsibilities. The heads of other executive
departments and agencies, as well as other senior officials, are invited to attend meetings of the NSC when appropriate.
Authority
The National Security Council was established by the National Security Act of 1947 (PL 235 - 61 Stat. 496; U.S.C. 402), amended by the National
Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 579; 50 U.S.C. 401 et seq.). Later in 1949, as part of the Reorganization Plan, the
Council was placed in the Executive Office of the President.
- History of the United States National Security Council
- History of the United States National Security Council
1947-1953
- History of the United States National Security Council
1953-1961
- History of the United States National Security Council
1961-1963
- History of the United States National Security Council
1963-1969
- History of the United States National Security Council
1969-1974
- History of the United States National Security Council
1974-1977
- History of the United States National Security Council
1977-1981
- History of the United States National Security Council
1981-1989
- History of the United States National Security Council
1989-1992
- History of the United States National Security Council
1993-2003
Reference
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