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Presidential Documents

 

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Stephen Woods
Title: Social Sciences Librarian Specializing in Data and Government Information


Subject Specialist:
Statistics and Data
U.S. Government Documents
814-865-0665
e-mail: sjw31@psu.edu

Social Sciences Library

 

Administrative Orders

Include memoranda, notices, letters, and presidential determinations

Economic Report of the President

An annual report written by the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. It overviews the nation's economic progress using text and extensive data appendices.

Executive Agreements and Treaties

A treaty is an international legal agreement concluded between nations in written form and governed by international law. According to the U.S. Constitution, a treaty requires the advice and consent of Congress, known as ratification, before the U.S. may become a party to it.

The President may enter the U.S. into certain types of international agreements, known as executive agreements, which do not require ratification if such authority is granted by legislation, an existing treaty, or the U.S. Constitution.

Other terms used for treaties and international agreements include: convention, protocol, covenant, charter, alliance, declaration, concordat, exchange of notes, agreed minute, armistice, memorandum of agreement, memorandum of understanding, compact, settlement.

Executive Orders

Generally issued to government officials, Executive Orders are official documents, numbered consecutively, through which the President of the United States manages the operations of the Federal Government.

Prior to 1929, sources of executive orders and proclamations are not comprehensive. The following publication will help. Check the preface and introduction for a discussion about the availability of these documents.

Inaugural Address

Presidential address made at the inaugural ceremony

More Resources

 

Messages to Congress

Communications to Congress to propose new legislation, explain vetoes, transmit reports, convey information about the state of national affairs or matters of concern

 

 

National Security Directives

Issued by the President and are concerned with issues of national security such as U.S. port security, covert operations, etc.

 

 

Presidential Proclaimations

Proclamations are general announcements of policy issued to the nation as a whole; commonly associated with ceremonial occasions.

 

Historical Presidential Proclamations

Prior to 1929, sources of executive orders and proclamations are not comprehensive. The following publications will help. Check the preface and introduction for a discussion about the availability of these documents

 

 

Reorganization Plans

Presidential proposals for changes in the form of agencies; may abolish or transfer agency functions; since 1986 must be approved by both houses of Congress

 

 

State of the Union Adresses

Delivered at the beginning of every year in a President's term.

 

 

Vetoes

The procedure established under the Constitution by which the President refuses to approve a bill or joint resolution and thus prevents its enactment into law.