Reagan Says Defense Reforms Should Not Weaken Executive

WASHINGTON — President Reagan cautioned Congress on Thursday against infringing on the President’s constitutional responsibilities in its effort to streamline the defense establishment.

“Any legislation in which the issues of legislative and executive responsibilities are confused would be constitutionally suspect and would not meet with my approval,” Reagan said in a message to Congress outlining proposed changes.

“We must work together in this endeavor,” he said. “However, any changes in statutes must not infringe on the constitutionally protected responsibilities of the President as commander-in-chief.”

Panel Made Recommendations

His message dealt in part with recommendations of a commission he appointed to consider changes in Defense Department procurement practices and organization.

Reagan said he considered submitting legislation to carry out those recommendations, but decided not to because they are embodied in bills being considered in Congress.

“However, additional changes in law are also proposed in those other bills, and such changes must be carefully weighed,” he said. “It is not necessary to place in law those aspects of defense organization that can be accomplished through executive action.”

More specifically, Reagan said he would oppose any legislation requiring the defense secretary to delegate his authority without his concurrence and approval.

Reagan said the President and defense secretary must retain the authority for establishing combatant commands, prescribing their force structure and overseeing the assignment of forces.

“Finally, we must not legislate departmental procedures,” he said. “It is neither necessary nor appropriate for the department’s internal resource allocation process to be defined in law.”

In endorsing the panel’s recommendations for strengthening the role of the chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, the President said he considered arguments that they would undermine civilian control but decided that they did not apply.

“None of the new responsibilities of the chairman that I propose would diminish the authority or control of the secretary of defense,” he said.

As to acquisition, he said Congress should create a post of undersecretary of defense for acquisition, as recommended by the panel, but any other changes should be left to the executive branch.