Eisenhower and Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson Reach Agreement on Space Agency and Defense Reorganization Legislation (1958)

Date: July 7, 1958

Created By: Wilton B. Persons

Original or Replica: Original

Era: The Space Race, The Presidency

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: DDE’s Papers as President, DDE Diary Series, Box 35, Staff Notes July 1958 (2); NAID #12043761

This July 7, 1958 White House memorandum records an off-the-record meeting between President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson concerning two major pieces of legislation: creation of a new federal space agency and reorganization of the nation’s defense structure. According to Deputy Assistant to the President Wilton B. Persons, Eisenhower and Johnson reached agreement on the major elements of the proposed space legislation. They specifically agreed with Eisenhower’s proposal to model an advisory group along the lines of the National Security Council, placing authority with the president and establishing an advisory group of eight members, including at least three from outside the federal government.

The two leaders also discussed pending defense reorganization legislation and reached general agreement on its contents, although additional work remained. Eisenhower indicated that congressional leaders Carl Hayden and Richard Russell would help work out details of the space and defense bills. The president described his private discussion with Johnson as “very satisfactory.” The memorandum provides a behind-the-scenes look at Eisenhower’s negotiations with a powerful Democratic congressional leader during the creation of America’s civilian space program and demonstrates the bipartisan legislative cooperation involved in shaping the government’s response to the emerging Space Race.