Bush transfer of power
President George W. Bush was the second President of the United States to invoke Section 3 of the 25th Amendment, temporarily transferring the powers of the office of President to his Vice President, Dick Cheney.
Background
On the morning of June 29, 2002, Bush was scheduled to undergo a routine colonoscopy procedure, during which time he would be under anaesthesia. While at the time seen as being exceedingly cautious, the nation was just nine months removed from the September 11th terrorist attacks and as such Bush was intent on seeing that in the event of a crisis during his incapacity, there would be no question of Cheney's authority.
At 7:09 that morning, Bush transmitted a letter to the House Speaker and President pro tempore, formally invoking the 25th amendment and transferring presidential power to Vice President Cheney as Acting President. Unlike the letter drafted by Ronald Reagan temporarily transferring power to George H. W. Bush on July 13, 1985, there was no perception of ambiguity regarding his intent.
Following the colonoscopy and Bush's return to consciousness and recovery, at 9:24 that morning he transmitted a second letter to the House Speaker and President pro tempore, formally declaring himself capable of resuming presidential authority.
The text of both letters is below.
Invocation Letter
- 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
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
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