Presidential Pardoning Power, and More from CRS

The President of the United States has broad and essentially unfettered authority to issue pardons for offenses against the United States, a new Congressional Research Service report on the subject explains.

“It also appears that a pardon may be revoked at any time prior to acceptance or delivery” of the warrant of pardon, according to the CRS assessment, which finds no flaw in the recent decision by President Bush “not to execute” a previously announced pardon in the case of real estate developer Isaac R. Toussie.  See “An Overview of the Presidential Pardoning Power” (pdf), January 7, 2009.

Some other new or newly updated CRS reports that have not been made readily available to the public include the following (all pdf).

“Nuclear Weapons in U.S. National Security Policy: Past, Present, and Prospects,” updated December 30, 2008.

“Nuclear Arms Control: The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty,” updated December 30, 2008.

“Organizing the U.S. Government for National Security: Overview of the Interagency Reform Debates,” updated December 16, 2008.

“Iran’s Nuclear Program: Tehran’s Compliance with International Obligations,” December 4, 2008.

“U.S. Military Stop Loss Program,” January 8, 2009.

“Department of Defense Facilities Energy Conservation Policies and Spending,” December 31, 2008.

“Congressional Commissions: Overview, Structure, and Legislative Considerations,” December 19, 2008.

“Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector,” updated November 17, 2008.

“Covert Action: Legislative Background and Possible Policy Questions,” updated December 1, 2008.