Memorandum on Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act
Issued 2016-06-01 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama issued this memorandum to temporarily suspend certain limitations contained in the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995. The suspension lasted for six months and was directed to the Secretary of State. The President stated this action was necessary to protect the national security interests of the United States.
The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 is a law passed by Congress that contains specific provisions in sections 3(b) and 7(b), and those are the sections affected by this suspension. The law itself includes a provision—section 7(a)—that gives the President authority to suspend these limitations for national security reasons. President Obama exercised that authority with this memorandum.
This action primarily affects how the State Department operates under the Jerusalem Embassy Act during the six-month suspension period. The memorandum was transmitted to Congress along with a required report and published in the Federal Register. This type of presidential memorandum is a routine administrative tool used to direct executive branch agencies on implementing existing laws.
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 Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act") provides direction to executive branch agencies. The stated purpose: "protect the national security interests of the United States, to suspend for a period of 6 months the limitations set forth in sections 3(b) and 7(b) of the Act." 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, 2016 Memorandum on Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act June 1, 2016 Presidential Determination No. 2016–07 Memorandum for the Secretary of State Subject: Suspension of Limitations under the Jerusalem Embassy Act Pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 7(a) of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 (Public Law 104–45) (the "Act"), I hereby determine that it is necessary, in order to protect the national security interests of the United States, to suspend for a period of 6 months the limitations set forth in sections 3(b) and 7(b) of the Act. You are authorized and directed to transmit this determination to the Congress, accompanied by a report in accordance with section 7(a) of the Act, and to publish this determination in the Federal Register . This suspension shall take effect after the transmission of this determination and report to the Congress. B ARACK O BAMA [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:15 a.m., June 8, 2016] N<FO