Reading Room Document

Authority of the President with respect to the effective date of the establishment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development

The document discusses the establishment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the implications of the President's actions or inactions regarding the appointment of the new Secretary and other officials. It outlines the consequences of not appointing anyone to the new Department, including the potential lapse of functions, powers, and duties, as well as the abolition of old agencies and jobs. The document presents questions about the legal implications of inaction, the interpretation of the effective date of the Act, and the potential consequences for personnel and routine business in the new Department. It also suggests a draft press release announcing the President's decision to defer the appointment of officials until January and to allow officials of the Housing and Home Finance Agency to continue performing their duties.

October 31, 1965