Reagan transfer of power
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On July 12, 1985, President Ronald Reagan underwent a colonoscopy procedure, during which a pre-cancerous tumor known as a villous adenoma was discovered. The following day, July 13, 1985, Reagan underwent surgery to remove the tumor, leading to the first invocation of Section 3 (the "Acting President" provisions) of the 25th amendment.
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Background
On the afternoon of July 12, 1985, Dr. Edward Cattow advised President Reagan of the existence of the tumor, and that it could be removed only by performing major surgery. Reagan was advised he could undergo surgery immediately or in two to three weeks. Reagan, desiring to avoid going through the preparatory regimen a second time, elected to undergo surgery the following day.
Reagan then consulted with White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan, Attorney General Ed Meese, legal counsel Fred Fielding and others, most of whom recommended the invocation of the amendment. While Reagan thought it might set an undesirable precedent to invoke the amendment, ultimately the decision was made to transfer power and two letters were drafted: one that explicitly invoked Section 3 of the 25th amendment, and one which did not.
At 10:32 a.m. the following morning (July 13, 1985), Reagan signed the second letter which is cited below. It was transmitted to the House Speaker and President pro tempore at 11:28 a.m., in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of the 25th amendment. Bush was notified of his status at 11:50 a.m. - 22 minutes after becoming Acting President.
At 7:22 p.m., Reagan transmitted another letter to the House Speaker and President pro tempore in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of the 25th amendment, declaring himself capable of resuming presidential authority. Below is the text of each letter:
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.