Reading Room Document

Designation of Acting Heads for Action Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Small Business Association

The document provides legal advice on the designation of acting heads for the Action Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Small Business Administration. It concludes that the President has the power to designate an acting agency head based on constitutional responsibility for the continued operation of the Executive branch. The document also presents questions regarding the appointment of acting heads in the event of vacancies and outlines the process for designating acting heads for each agency. It emphasizes the importance of early nominations for the positions and provides legal interpretations of relevant statutes and reorganization plans.

January 16, 1981