Throughout the years, the United States has established new presidential commissions in response to evolving issues in equity, public health, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. These commissions highlight a broader trend of adapting to modern challenges through extensive research and progressive strategies. Let’s learn more about the role commissions play by exploring the resources available in HeinOnline’s Reports of U.S. Presidential Commissions and Other Advisory Bodies database.
Presidential Commissions Database
More than 400 Reports added in the past year!
The Reports of U.S. Presidential Commissions and Other Advisory Bodies contains the most current and comprehensive listing of publications created by U.S. presidential commissions and other advisory bodies.
An advisory committee or commission is typically formed to provide the president with expert advice, recommendations, and insights on various issues or policies. While advisory committees don’t have decision-making power, their role is to inform and influence presidential decisions through well-researched, evidence-based recommendations.
The Reports of U.S. Presidential Commissions and Other Advisory Bodies provide historical insight into the ideas and issues that produced specific presidential administration policies, as well as the development of policies that span multiple administrations.
Presidential commissions have formed to advance research in different fields or to explain catastrophes such as marine oil spills. There have also been advisory groups that have gained more spotlight like the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, also known as the Warren Commission, which was established to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Explore New Reports
Some of the presidential commissions you can find in the database span multiple administrations like the President’s Cancer Panel while others have been formed in more recent years to accommodate a need for research in an emerging field such as AI. An advisory board can be renewed or terminated by the president and both of these actions require certain procedures outlined in the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972.[1]Legislative History of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, P.L. 92-463 (1972). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s U.S. Federal Legislative History Library.
The Reports of Presidential Commissions database can provide vital information for researchers interested in U.S. history, political science, and law, and those interested in the discovery and analysis of the policies of U.S. presidents; the determination of the administrative and political priorities of presidential administrations; or the development of contemporaneous laws and legislative history.
Last year, more than 300 titles were added to the database including:
- 4 Years for Fitness, 1961-1965: A Report to the President
- Adult Learner Perspectives on National Education Goal 5 Guidelines
- American Civilization Today: A Summary of Recent Social Trends
Also, researchers can now peruse over 35 reports that were recently added to the database. These reports contain information produced by the following committees:
1. National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee
Purpose: Charter[2]U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee: Charter (2024). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s Reports of Presidential Commissions.
The National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, also referred to as NAIAC, was established under Section 5104 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020.[3]H. Rept. 116-442 524 (2020-07-09) WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021. This document can be found in HeinOnline’s U.S. Congressional Serial Set. Signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on December 20, 2019, the purpose of the committee is to advise the president and the White House on matters related to the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative.
The National Artificial Intelligence Initiative is a government-wide program focused on advancing AI research and its use in the U.S. There is also a Subcommittee on Artificial Intelligence and Law Enforcement, which provides advice to the president on matters relating to the development of AI in the field of law enforcement. In a report released last year, the subcommittee identified 13 legal and ethical issues[4]National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee: Law Enforcement Subcommittee: Year 1 Report and Roadmap (2024). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s Reports of Presidential Commissions. that arise from the use of AI in law enforcement.
Recent Report: “National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee Year-Two Insights Report”
Excerpt from Report’s Executive Summary: This report encapsulates the activities and contributions of NAIAC throughout our second year. As a whole, our work reinforces the fact that AI technology and its use need to be frequently and continuously discussed, evaluated, and improved at the highest levels of government, as AI is used to provide opportunities and impacts every single American in all communities at an ever increasing pace.
2. President’s Cancer Panel
Purpose: Charter Summary[5]Division of Extramural Activities: President’s Cancer Panel, Charter Summary (1971). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s Reports of Presidential Commissions.
The President’s Cancer Panel monitors the activities of the National Cancer Program and reports to the president on barriers to progress in reducing the burden of cancer. The panel was established in 1971 when the National Cancer Act[6]12929-6 1 (1971) National cancer act of 1971. This document can be found in HeinOnline’s U.S. Congressional Serial Set. was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. The panel is a Federal Advisory Committee governed by FACA and is supported by the National Cancer Institute.
Recent Report: “President’s Cancer Panel Initial Assessment of the National Cancer Plan (February 2024)”
Excerpt from Report: The Cancer Moonshot—championed by then-Vice President Joe Biden and launched in 2016 brought new urgency to the fight against cancer. In 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new efforts to reignite the Cancer Moonshot in pursuit of two new goals: to reduce cancer mortality by at least 50 percent by 2047 and to improve the experience of people and their families living with and surviving cancer.
3. President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI)
Purpose: Executive Order (2009)[7]Executive Order: Increasing Participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Federal Programs (2009). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s Reports of Presidential Commissions.
The President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) was formed in the late 1990s and advises the president on initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The commission works with federal agencies to address issues in education, health, and economics. In 2021, the Biden Administration changed the name to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI).[8]Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021 Executive Order 14031-Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, Daily Comp. Pres. Docs. 1 (2021). This document can be found in … Continue reading
Recent Report: “Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders”
Excerpt from Report: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities together constitute the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States and make rich contributions to our society, our economy, and our culture. Yet for far too long, systemic barriers to equity, justice, and opportunity put the American dream out of reach of many AA and NHPI communities.
Check Out the Blog
The HeinOnline Blog is a great resource for discovering research tips and tricks, and expanding your knowledge on different topics, including history, human rights, and criminal justice, among others.
Be sure to check out other posts about presidential commissions that are sure to capture your attention or help guide your research:
- Tip of the Week: How to Locate U.S. Presidential Commission Reports
- 5 U.S. Presidential Commissions That Have Fueled Conspiracy Theorists
- Named to the 2018 List of Best Historical Materials: Reports of U.S. Presidential Commissions and Other Advisory Bodies: A Bibliographic Listing
HeinOnline Sources
| ↑1 | Legislative History of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, P.L. 92-463 (1972). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s U.S. Federal Legislative History Library. |
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| ↑2 | U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee: Charter (2024). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s Reports of Presidential Commissions. |
| ↑3 | H. Rept. 116-442 524 (2020-07-09) WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021. This document can be found in HeinOnline’s U.S. Congressional Serial Set. |
| ↑4 | National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee: Law Enforcement Subcommittee: Year 1 Report and Roadmap (2024). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s Reports of Presidential Commissions. |
| ↑5 | Division of Extramural Activities: President’s Cancer Panel, Charter Summary (1971). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s Reports of Presidential Commissions. |
| ↑6 | 12929-6 1 (1971) National cancer act of 1971. This document can be found in HeinOnline’s U.S. Congressional Serial Set. |
| ↑7 | Executive Order: Increasing Participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Federal Programs (2009). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s Reports of Presidential Commissions. |
| ↑8 | Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021 Executive Order 14031-Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, Daily Comp. Pres. Docs. 1 (2021). This document can be found in HeinOnline’s. U.S. Presidential Library. |
