[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 51 (Monday, December 22, 2003)]
[Page 1816]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Executive Order 
Regarding Appointments During National Emergency

December 17, 2003

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)

    Consistent with section 301 of the National Emergencies Act (50 
U.S.C. 1631), I hereby report that I have taken additional steps with 
respect to the national emergency I declared in Proclamation 7463 of 
September 14, 2001, by invoking and making available to the Secretary of 
Defense the emergency appointments authority of section 603 of title 10 
of the United States Code, consistent with the terms of that statute and 
of Executive Order 12396 of December 9, 1982.
    I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I have issued, which is 
effective immediately.
    Sincerely,
                                                George W. Bush

Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Richard B. Cheney, President of the 
Senate.