Reading Room Document

Civil Defense Advisory Council

The document is a legal opinion regarding the interpretation of a statute related to the composition of the Civil Defense Advisory Council. The conclusion reached is that no more than seven members of the Council can be from the same political party, based on the definition of "majority" as the numerical difference between the larger and smaller groups. The document presents a concise review of the questions surrounding the interpretation of the statute, including the context of the twelve-member council, the legislative history, and comparisons to similar provisions in other statutes and executive orders.

August 20, 1965