Arms Control and Disarmament Act of 1961 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Arms Control and Disarmament Act of 1961

Long title	An Act to establish a United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
Nicknames	Arms Control and Disarmament Act
Enacted by	the 87th United States Congress
Effective	September 26, 1961
Citations
Public law	87-297
Statutes at Large	75 Stat. 631
Codification
Titles amended	22 U.S.C.: Foreign Relations and Intercourse
U.S.C. sections created	22 U.S.C. ch. 35 § 2551
Legislative history
Introduced in the House as H.R. 9118 by Thomas E. Morgan (D-PA) on September 12, 1961 Committee consideration by House Foreign Affairs, Senate Foreign Relations Passed the Senate on September 8, 1961 (73–14, in lieu of S. 2180) Passed the House on September 19, 1961 (290–54) Reported by the joint conference committee on September 23, 1961; agreed to by the House on September 23, 1961 (253–50) and by the Senate on agreed  Signed into law by President John F. Kennedy on September 26, 1961

The Arms Control and Disarmament Act of 1961 was a very important law in the United States. It was created to set up a special group to help control and reduce dangerous weapons, especially those that could cause huge destruction. The main goal was to protect the world from the heavy costs of weapons and the terrible effects of war.

This Act was a key part of President John F. Kennedy's plans for how the U.S. would deal with other countries (called foreign policy). It also fit well with the country's national security goals, which means keeping the nation safe. The law, known as H.R. 9118, was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Kennedy on September 26, 1961.

What the Act Does

The Arms Control and Disarmament Act created a new government agency called the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA). This agency was in charge of making and carrying out the United States' plans for controlling weapons and reducing them.

The ACDA had several important jobs:

• It did research to help create good plans for arms control and disarmament.
• It managed and prepared the U.S. for talks with other countries about arms control and working towards peace.
• It shared information with the public about the U.S. approach to arms control and disarmament.
• It helped set up and run systems to check on arms control activities, both in the U.S. and around the world.

How the Act is Organized

This federal law was written in four main parts, called "titles." These titles are part of a larger collection of U.S. laws about foreign relations.

Title I: Introduction and Goals

This part explains the main reason for the Act and defines important words used in it.

• 22 U.S.C. § 2551 ~ Why the Act was created
• 22 U.S.C. § 2552 ~ Important words explained

Title II: Setting Up the Agency

This section describes how the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) is set up. It talks about who leads the agency and how it's organized.

• 22 U.S.C. § 2561 ~ How the agency was started
• 22 U.S.C. § 2562 ~ The Director (leader) of the agency
• 22 U.S.C. § 2563 ~ The Deputy Director (second in command)
• 22 U.S.C. § 2564 ~ Assistant Directors
• 22 U.S.C. § 2565 ~ Different departments and offices within the agency
• 22 U.S.C. § 2566 ~ A group of advisors for the agency

Title III: What the Agency Does

This part explains the specific tasks and duties of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.

• 22 U.S.C. § 2571 ~ Doing research
• 22 U.S.C. § 2572 ~ Rules about inventions (patents)
• 22 U.S.C. § 2573 ~ Making policy plans
• 22 U.S.C. § 2574 ~ Handling international talks
• 22 U.S.C. § 2575 ~ Working with other groups

Title IV: General Rules

This section covers other important rules and details about how the agency operates.

• 22 U.S.C. § 2581 ~ General powers of the agency
• 22 U.S.C. § 2582 ~ Staff members, including those from the Foreign Service
• 22 U.S.C. § 2583 ~ Rules for contracts and spending money
• 22 U.S.C. § 2584 ~ Rules to prevent unfair advantages or double pay
• 22 U.S.C. § 2585 ~ Rules for keeping information safe (security)
• 22 U.S.C. § 2586 ~ Checks by the Comptroller General
• 22 U.S.C. § 2587 ~ Moving existing activities to the new agency
• 22 U.S.C. § 2588 ~ How money can be used
• 22 U.S.C. § 2589 ~ Money set aside for the agency
• 22 U.S.C. § 2590 ~ Reports given to Congress

Changes to the 1961 Act

Over the years, the Arms Control and Disarmament Act has been updated and changed by new laws. This table shows some of the times Congress approved new rules related to arms control and disarmament. Each entry shows when a new law was passed, its official number, where to find it, the bill that became the law, and which U.S. President was in office at the time.