Reconstruction Act, Second

Reconstruction Act, Second (23 March 1867) To implement the first Reconstruction Act, which would be frustrated if county officials refused to cooperate in holding new elections, Congress empowered military commanders to register voters and outlined a schedule for adopting new state constitutions. Although passed over Andrew Johnson’s veto, this law’s effectiveness was threatened when the attorney general issued an advisory opinion that cast doubt on the legal authority of military commanders to carry out its provisions.