United States National Security Council
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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.
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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 National 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.
Structure of the United States National Security Council (2005) | |
| Chair | George W. Bush (President of the United States) |
| Regular Attendees |
Richard B. Cheney (Vice President) |
| Military Advisor | Richard B. Myers (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) |
| Intelligence Advisor | John Negroponte (Director of National Intelligence) - Note: prior to April 21, 2005 this position was filled by the Director of Central Intelligence |
| Additional Participants |
Andrew H. Card, Jr. (Chief of Staff to the President) |
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
- NSC page at the White House website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/)
- Story on the NSC (http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=2601&page=0) in Foreign Policy journal.