Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Pursuant to Section 8 of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014
Issued 2015-06-19 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
This presidential memorandum reassigns a specific administrative task related to U.S.-Israel relations. Under the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014, the President was required to submit certain reports to Congress. Through this memorandum, President Obama transferred that reporting responsibility to the Secretary of State, who must consult with the Secretary of Defense and other relevant agencies when fulfilling this duty.
This action affects how the executive branch handles its reporting obligations under the 2014 law concerning the U.S.-Israel strategic partnership. Instead of the President personally managing these reports, the State Department now takes the lead, working in coordination with the Defense Department and other appropriate agencies.
This is a routine administrative matter. The memorandum doesn't change what information gets reported to Congress or alter the underlying law—it simply designates which executive branch official is responsible for preparing and submitting the required reports. Such delegations are a standard way presidents manage the day-to-day operations of the executive branch, allowing cabinet officials to handle specific tasks while the President retains overall authority.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This presidential memorandum ("Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Pursuant to Section 8 of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014") provides direction to executive branch agencies. The stated purpose: "delegate the reporting requirement conferred upon the President by section 8 of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–296) to the Secretary of State." Presidential memoranda function similarly to executive orders but are typically more narrow in scope, addressing specific agencies or implementation details. The President's authority to direct executive branch operations is grounded in Article II of the Constitution.
Memoranda are a routine administrative tool. They guide agencies on priorities, interpretation of statutes, and implementation procedures. As long as they operate within the bounds of existing law and respect congressional mandates, they are a standard exercise of presidential power that every modern administration has used.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Pursuant to Section 8 of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 June 19, 2015 Memorandum for the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense Subject: Delegation of Authority Pursuant to Section 8 of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby delegate the reporting requirement conferred upon the President by section 8 of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–296) to the Secretary of State. In carrying out the functions under this delegation, the Secretary of State shall consult with the Secretary of Defense and, as appropriate, other departments and agencies. The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register . B ARACK O BAMA N OTE : An original was not available for verification of the content of this memorandum. Cat