U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency

The U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) was established as an independent agency by the Arms Control and Disarmament Act (75 Stat. 631), September 26, 1961. Its predecessor was the U.S. Disarmament Administration, Department of State (1960-61). 

The ACDA conducted, supported, and coordinated "research for arms control and disarmament policy formulation"; prepared for and managed "U.S. participation in international arms control and disarmament negotiations"; prepared, operated, and directed "U.S. participation in international arms control and disarmament systems." 

In 1997, the Clinton administration announced the full integration of the ACDA with the Department of State "as part of the reinvention of the agencies which implement the nation’s foreign policy." The ACDA Director would then "be double-hatted as the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, and then the two positions [were] merged as Under Secretary/Senior Advisor to the President and Secretary of State, which will be able to communicate with the President through the Secretary of State." 

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