[20080211]RS20709_总统换届：背景和联邦支持.pdf

Order Code RS20709Updated February 11, 2008. CRS Report for CongressPresidential Transitions: Background andFederal SupportStephanie SmithAnalyst in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryThe Presidential Transition Act (PTA), as amended, authorizes funding for theGeneral Services Administration (GSA) to provide suitable office space, staffcompensation, and other services associated with the transition process. Section 5 ofthe PTA authorizes the President to include in his budget request for each fiscal year inwhich his regular term of office will expire, a proposed appropriation for carrying outthe purposes of the act. The Presidents FY2009 budget requests $8,520,000 in fundingfor the upcoming presidential transition. Of this total, $1 million is provided forbriefings and related transition services for incoming personnel associated with the newadministration.IntroductionSince President George Washington first relinquished his office to incomingPresident John Adams in 1797, this peaceful transition, symbolizing both continuity andchange, has demonstrated the best of American democracy to the world.,2 Today,however, the activities surrounding a presidenti