National Security Council (NSC) Law & Legal Definition

National Security Council is an independent federal agency established by the National Security Act of 1947. It is the President's principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials. It advises and assists 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. The NSC 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.