Using a Reagan-esque signing statement to commemorate President Reagan
President Obama issued a signing statement limiting the role of members of Congress who will be appointed to a commission to honor President Ronald Reagan.
While signing a bill to create a commission to commemorate President Ronald Reagan, President Obama issued another signing statement — specifically to limit the role of members of Congress who are appointed to the commission. From the White House:
I wholeheartedly welcome the participation of members of Congress in the activities of the Commission. In accord with President Reagan’s Signing Statement made upon signing similar commemorative legislation in 1983, I understand, and my Administration has so advised the Congress, that the members of Congress “will be able to participate only in ceremonial or advisory functions of [such a] Commission, and not in matters involving the administration of the act” in light of the separation of powers and the Appointments and Ineligibility Clauses of the Constitution.
Remember that, as a candidate in May 2008, Barack Obama said signing statements were themselves unconstitutional.
Congress’s job is to pass legislation. The president can veto it or he can sign it.
But what George Bush has been trying to do as part of his effort to accumulate more power in the presidency is he’s been saying, “Well, I can basically change what congress passed by attaching a letter saying ‘I agree with this part or I don’t agree with this part I’m gonna choose to interpret it this way or that way’”
That’s not part of his power. But this is part of the whole theory of George Bush — that he can make laws as he’s going along.
I disagree with that. I taught the Constitution for 10 years, I believe in the Constitution and I will obey the Constitution of the United States.
We’re not going to use signing statements as way of doing an end run around Congress, alright?
Sources:
The White House, June 2, 2009
The Washington Post, June 2, 2009
