ON APRIL 8, 1986, THE PRESIDENT APPROVED THE ATTACHED PRINCIPLES OF FEDERALISM.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89B00297R000200300003-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 12, 2011
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: May 19, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP89B00297R000200300003-9
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clearances, and similar actions
OPTIONAL FORM 41 (Rev. 7-76)
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FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.206
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP89B00297R000200300003-9
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP89B00297R000200300003-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP89B00297R000200300003-9
May 19, 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
SECRETARY
OF
STATE
SECRETARY
OF
THE TREASURY
SECRETARY
OF
DEFENSE
ATTORNEY
GENERAL
SECRETARY
OF
THE INTERIOR
SECRETARY
OF
AGRICULTURE
SECRETARY
OF
COMMERCE
SECRETARY
OF
LABOR
SECRETARY
OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SECRETARY
OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
SECRETARY
OF
TRANSPORTATION
SECRETARY
OF
ENERGY
SECRETARY
OF
EDUCATION
THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED STATES. OF AMERICA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
FROM: ALFRED H. KINGON
Cabinet Secretary and Assistant to the President of
the United States of America
On April 8, 1986, the President approved the attached Principles
of Federalism. These principles should clarify the proper
constitutional relationship between Federal, State and local
governments, and the people.
THE
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP89B00297R000200300003-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP89B00297R000200300003-9
THE WHITE HOUSE
FEDERALISM
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
1. Federalism is rooted in the knowledge that our political
liberties are best assured by limiting the size and scope of the
national government.
2. The people of the States created the national government when
they delegated to it those enumerated governmental powers relating
to matters beyond the competence of the individual States. All
other sovereign powers, save those expressly prohibited the
States by the Constitution, are reserved to the States or to the
people.
3. The constitutional relationship among sovereign governments,
State and national, is formalized in and protected by the Tenth
Amendment to the Constitution.
4. The people of the States are free, subject only to restrictions
in the Constitution itself or in constitutionally authorized Acts
of Congress, to define the moral, political, and legal character
of their lives.
5. In most areas of governmental concern, State and local
governments uniquely possess the constitutional authority, the
resources, and the competence to discern the sentiments of the
people and to govern accordingly. In Jefferson's words, the
States are "the most competent administrations for our domestic
concerns and the surest bulwarks against antirepublican tendencies."
6. The nature of our constitutional system encourages a healthy
diversity in the public policies adopted by the people of the
several States according to their own conditions, needs, and
desires. In the search for enlightened public policy, individual
States and communities are free to experiment with a variety of
approaches to public issues.
7. Acts of the national government -- whether legislative,
executive, or judicial in nature -- that exceed the enumerated
powers of that government under the Constitution violate the
principle of federalism established by the Founders.
8. Policies of the national government should recognize the
responsibility of -- and should encourage opportunities for --
individuals, families, neighborhoods, local governments and
private associations to achieve their personal, social, and
economic objectives through cooperative effort.
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP89B00297R000200300003-9
9. In the absence of clear constitutional or statutory authority,
the presumption of sovereignty should rest with the individual
States. Uncertainties regarding the legitimate authority of the
national government should be resolved against regulation at the
national level.
10. These principles should guide the departments and agencies
of the national government in the formulation and implementation
of policies and regulations.
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