NATIONAL
SECURITY COUNCIL
Membership
of the National Security Council
The National Security Council is chaired by the President. Its regular attendees (both
statutory and non-statutory) are the Vice President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary
of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, and the Assistant to the President for National
Security Affairs. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the statutory military
advisor to the Council, and the Director of Central Intelligence is the intelligence
advisor. The Chief of Staff to the President, Counsel to the President, and the Assistant
to the President for Economic Policy are invited to attend any NSC meeting. The Attorney
General and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget are invited to attend
meetings pertaining to their responsibilities. The heads of other executive departments
and agencies, as well as other senior officials, are invited to attend meetings of the NSC
when appropriate.
National
Security Council's Function
The National Security Council is the President's principal forum for considering national
security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet
officials. Since its inception under President Truman, the function of the Council has
been to advise and assist the President on national security and foreign policies. The
Council also serves as the President's principal arm for coordinating these policies among
various government agencies.