Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2009

Details

 * Sets a deadline for the review of presidential records selected by the Archivist of the United States for release. Current and former presidents would have 40 business days to review and raise objections prior to the release of the records.
 * Gives the incumbent president the authority to reject former presidents' claims of executive privilege.
 * Requires presidents to personally assert privilege claims. Assistants, relatives, and descendants would not be allowed to assert privilege claims on behalf of a former president.
 * Eliminates the ability of vice presidents to assert executive privilege over vice presidential records.
 * Overturns Executive Order 13233 issued by President George W. Bush in 2001.



House
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) and 5 co-sponsors from both parties, passed the House without amendment by a vote of 359-58 on January 7, 2009.



Senate
On January 8, 2009, the bill as passed by the House was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

External Resources

 * Executive Order 13233 - Further Implementation of the Presidential Records Act (text from the National Archives), November 1, 2001.
 * Executive Order 13489 - Presidential Records (text from the National Archives), January 21, 2009.