Using signing statements with war funding bill
President Obama attached a signing statement to a war funding bill saying he will ignore provisions that provided oversight over money going to the World Bank and IMF.
President Obama used a tool that as a candidate he called unconstitutional to throw out oversight provisions of a war funding bill that passed Congress. From the White House:
However, provisions of this bill within sections 1110 to 1112 of title XI, and sections 1403 and 1404 of title XIV, would interfere with my constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations by directing the Executive to take certain positions in negotiations or discussions with international organizations and foreign governments, or by requiring consultation with the Congress prior to such negotiations or discussions. I will not treat these provisions as limiting my ability to engage in foreign diplomacy or negotiations.
The provisions Obama is talking about were added to the bill after Republicans objecting to the amount of money going to the IMF and World Bank. Democrats offered the provisions — to provide oversight over the funds — as a compromise.
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 26, 2009
Statement from the President upon signing HR 2346
The Associated Press, June 24, 2009
Updates:
The House voted overwhelmingly to reject the president’s signing statement on July 9.
The Examiner, July 9, 2009
House overwhelmingly rejects (429-2) Obama Signing Statement
CQ Politics, July 10, 2009
Congress Suddenly Remembers It Can Cut Off Funds
The Associated Press, July 21, 2009
