For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 14, 2008

Statement by the President on S. 3001, the "Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009"

Today I have signed into law S. 3001, the "Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009." The Act authorizes funding for the defense of the United States and its interests abroad, for military construction, and for national security-related energy programs.

Provisions of the Act, including sections 851, 902, 1211(2), and 1508(b), purport to impose requirements that could inhibit the President's ability to carry out his constitutional obligations to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, to protect national security, to conduct diplomatic negotiations, to supervise the executive branch, to appoint officers of the United States, and to execute his authority as Commander in Chief. The executive branch shall continue to construe such provisions in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority and obligations of the President.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

October 14, 2008.

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►[The signing statement above is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 14, 2008

Statement by the President on H.R. 928, the "Inspector General Reform Act of 2008"

Today I have signed into law H.R. 928, the "Inspector General Reform Act of 2008." The Act amends various authorities related to Federal Inspectors General.

Section 6 of the bill gives Inspectors General the right to obtain legal advice from lawyers working for an Inspector General. It is important that Inspectors General have timely and accurate legal advice. It is also important that agencies have structures through which to reach a single, final authoritative determination for the agency of what the law is. This determination is subject to the authority of the Attorney General with respect to legal questions within, and the President's authority to supervise, the executive branch and, of course, the courts in specific cases or controversies. To this end, the "rule of construction" in section 6 ensures that, within each agency, the determinations of the law remain ultimately the responsibility of the chief legal officer and the head of the agency.

Section 8 of the bill includes provisions that purport to direct or regulate the content of the President's budget submissions, including provisions that purport to direct the President to include the comments of Inspectors General with respect to those submissions. The President's budget submissions are recommendations for enactment of legislation appropriating funds. The executive branch shall construe section 8 of the bill in a manner consistent with the President's constitutional authority to recommend for congressional consideration such measures as the President shall judge necessary and expedient.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

October 14, 2008.

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