# Presidential Letters on Transfer and Return of United States Constitutional Powers (29 June 2002)

This was the first temporary transfer of Powers during President Bush's tenure.
On 29 June 2002, President George Walker Bush sent one letter each to the President pro tempore of the United States Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives informing them of a temporary transfer of Constitutional powers to Vice President Richard Cheney. Later the same day, letters followed signalling return of Constitutional powers to President Bush. Following are the texts of each of these four letters.

## Letters to the President pro tempore of the Senate
### Transfer of Constitutional Powers

June 29, 2002
Dear 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

### Return of Constitutional Powers

June 29, 2002
Dear 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

## Letters to the Speaker of the House of Representatives
### Transfer of Constitutional Powers

June 29, 2002
Dear Mr. Speaker:
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

### Return of Constitutional Powers

June 29, 2002
Dear Mr. Speaker:
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

## References

* ↑ http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020629-4.html
* ↑ http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020629-2.html
* ↑ http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020629-5.html
* ↑ http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020629-3.html
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States federal government (see 17 U.S.C. 105).
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