Terrorist Attacks and National Emergencies Acts Declarations

Publication Date: January 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

As part of his response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President George W. Bush formally declared national emergencies on September 14 and 23 pursuant to the National Emergencies Act. The President's actions follow a long-standing tradition of alerting the nation to a crisis threatening public order and constitutional government. Currently, such declarations also allow the President to make use of activated authority on a selective basis, as appropriate for responding to an emergency. Updated as events recommend, this report chronicles the actions taken by President Bush pursuant to his national emergency declarations, as well the issuance of additional such declarations concerning terrorism.