Presidential Signing Statements

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 12, 2007

President Bush Signs the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006

Today I have signed into law H.R. 5946, the "Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006." The Act sets a firm deadline to end overfishing in America; contributes to replenishing America's fish stocks; strengthens enforcement of America's fishing laws; and implements inter-national agreements on fishery management and the protection of polar bears.

The executive branch shall construe provisions of the Act that purport to direct or burden the conduct of negotiations by the executive branch with foreign governments or international organizations in a manner consistent with the President's constitutional authority to conduct the Nation's foreign affairs, including the authority to determine which officers shall negotiate for the United States with a foreign country, when, in consultation with whom, and toward what objectives, and to supervise the unitary executive branch. Such provisions include subsections 609(c) and 610(b) of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act, as enacted by section 403 of the Act; section 408 of the Act; and section 505 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as enacted by section 902 of the Act.

Subsection 505(a) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as enacted by section 902 of the Act, purports to condition the authority granted to the President to make appointments upon prior consideration of recommendations from particular sources and purports to limit the qualifications of the pool of persons from whom the President may select appointees in a manner that rules out a large portion of those persons best qualified by experience and knowledge to fill the positions. Also, provisions of the Act, such as section 303A(c)(6)(D)(i) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as enacted by section 106 of the Act, purport to give significant governmental authority of the United States to individuals who are not appointed in accordance with the Appointments Clause of the Constitution.

The executive branch shall construe these provisions in a manner consistent with the Appointments Clause. The executive branch shall construe section 510 of the Act, relating to notifications regarding certain entry and transit of specified portions of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone, in a manner consistent, to the maximum extent permissible, with treaties to which the United States is a party and other international obligations of the United States.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 12, 2007.

• Text of the same signing statement from the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents published by the Government Printing Office (GPO)
  (click links to see text)
  
  1. plain text at the GPO - 43 WCPD 31 (1/15/07)
  
  2. PDF file from GPO - 43 WCPD 31 (1/15/07)
  

The law to which this signing statement applies is:

H.R. 5946, the "Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006" -- Public Law 109-479 -- 120 STAT 3575

To read the law, select one of the links below:

1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws

2. PDF file from the GPO's Public and Private Laws (digitally signed)

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 3, 2007

President Bush Signs "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11" into Law

Today, I signed into law the "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007." This legislation builds upon the considerable progress we have made in strengthening our defenses and protecting Americans since the attacks of September 11, 2001. In the largest restructuring of our government since World War II, we created the Department of Homeland Security to better coordinate the protection and response capabilities of our government. The Director of National Intelligence leads a restructured intelligence community that is better able to uncover, understand, and counter threats from terrorists. To implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, I have issued numerous Executive Orders, Presidential Directives, and National Strategies. I have also signed into law the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the PATRIOT Act, and other important pieces of legislation.

I am pleased that the legislation I signed today protects Americans from being unduly prosecuted for reporting activity that could lead to acts of terrorism. I also appreciate the steps taken to modernize the Visa Waiver Program, particularly the additional security measures, but I will continue to work with Congress to advance our security and foreign policy objectives by allowing greater flexibility to bring some of our closest allies into the program. I will also continue to work with Congress to ensure the workability of the cargo screening provisions in a way that increases our vigilance on homeland security while ensuring the continuance of vital commerce. And I appreciate the willingness of Congress to remove several provisions that had previously generated concern.

There is still other work to be done. I continue to believe that Congress should act on the outstanding 9/11 Commission recommendations to reform the legislative branch's oversight of intelligence and counter-terrorism activities, which the Commission described as dysfunctional. While this legislation does not heed the Commission's advice, I hope Congress revisits the issue soon.

I also believe it is important to recognize the urgent need for Congress to pass legislation to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a decades-old law that should be updated to address changes in communication technology while protecting the civil liberties of our citizens. The Director of National Intelligence has stated unequivocally that without this change in the law, we will continue to miss significant amounts of information that we should be collecting to protect against potential terrorist attacks.

Congress should also continue to strive to better target grant dollars to cities and states based on risk. This legislation makes some progress, but it also authorizes billions of dollars for grants and other programs that are unnecessary or should not be funded at such excessive levels. I will not request this excessive funding in my 2009 budget request.

I thank members of both parties in Congress who worked on this legislation and I appreciate the willingness of members to strengthen provisions we believed would have weakened our security. Leaders in Washington should never forget that our most important duty is to protect the American people. I will continue to work with the Congress to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep our Nation safe.

• Text of the same signing statement from the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents published by the Government Printing Office (GPO)
  (click links to see text)
  
  1. plain text at the GPO - 43 WCPD 1040 (8/6/07)
  
  2. PDF file from GPO - 43 WCPD 1040 (8/6/07)
  

The law to which this signing statement applies is:

H.R. 1, the "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007" -- Public Law 110-53 -- 121 STAT 266

To read the law, select one of the links below:

1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws

2. PDF file from the GPO's Public and Private Laws (digitally signed)

1. Memorandum for the Secretary of State: SUBJECT: Assignment of Functions Under Section 1821(c) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (March 28 2008) (source: White House website)

2. Statement of Administration Policy, H.R. 1 - Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007 - House (January 9, 2007) (source: OMB section of White House website)

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 9, 2007

President Bush on Signing America COMPETES Act
 

Today I signed into law H.R. 2272, the "America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act." This legislation shares many of the goals of my American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI). ACI is one of my most important domestic priorities because it provides a comprehensive strategy to help keep America the most innovative Nation in the world by strengthening our scientific education and research, improving our technological enterprise, and providing 21st century job training.

Since I announced ACI in January 2006, Congress has risen to the competitiveness challenge in a bipartisan way. House and Senate appropriators started the funding for ACI basic research programs in fiscal year 2007, and so far in this year's appropriations process they are fully funding my fiscal year 2008 budget request for the National Science Foundation, the Office of Science in the Department of Energy, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the Department of Commerce.

This bipartisan spirit of cooperation continues with the legislation I signed. This legislation supports our efforts to double funding for basic research in the physical sciences. And the bill authorizes most of the education programs I called for in ACI, including the Math Now proposal that improves instruction in mathematics and the Advanced Placement program that increases the number of teachers and students participating in AP and International Baccalaureate classes.

I am, however, disappointed that Congress failed to authorize my Adjunct Teacher Corps program to encourage math and science professionals to teach in our schools. I am also disappointed that the legislation includes excessive authorizations and expansion of government. In total, the bill creates over 30 new programs that are mostly duplicative or counterproductive -- including a new Department of Energy agency to fund late-stage technology development more appropriately left to the private sector -- and also provides excessive authorizations for existing programs. These new programs, additional requirements and reports, and excessive authorizations will divert resources and focus from priority activities aimed at strengthening the basic research that has given our Nation such a competitive advantage in the world economy. Accordingly, I will request funding in my 2009 Budget for those authorizations that support the focused priorities of the ACI, but will not propose excessive or duplicative funding based on authorizations in this bill.

While this legislation includes many unnecessary and misguided programs, in many important ways it heeds my call to action of nearly two years ago to take steps to ensure the ongoing competitiveness of our Nation. Congress, however, still has more work to do to improve our Nation's competitiveness. In addition to giving priority to full ACI funding in this year's appropriations bills, I call on Congress to complete work on the remaining components of ACI, including modernizing and making permanent the research and development tax credit, authorizing the Adjunct Teacher Corps program, and increasing our ability to attract and retain the best and brightest high-skilled workers from around the world.

I thank Members of both parties in Congress who worked on this legislation, and I appreciate the willingness of Members to remove or otherwise address several of the Administration's serious concerns associated with this legislation. I will continue to work with the Congress to ensure that we keep America competitive through appropriate and strong support for science and technology.

# # #

• Text of the same signing statement from the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents published by the Government Printing Office (GPO)
  (click links to see text)
  
  1. plain text at the GPO - 43 WCPD 1066 (8/13/07)
  
  2. PDF file from GPO - 43 WCPD 1066 (8/13/07)
  

The law to which this signing statement applies is:

H.R. 2272, the "America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act" -- Public Law 110-69 -- 121 STAT 572

To read the law, select one of the links below:

1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws

2. PDF file from the GPO's Public and Private Laws (digitally signed)

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 14, 2007

President Bush Signs Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007
 

Today I signed into law S. 1, the "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007." This bill represents some progress towards ethics, lobbying, and earmark reform, all of which I strongly support. Strengthening the ethical standards that govern lobbying activities and beginning to address meaningful earmark reform are necessary steps to provide the public with a more transparent lawmaking process. The essence of successful ethics reform is not laws and restrictions, but full disclosure. The legislation includes minimal improvements in the area of disclosure, both for lobbying and earmarks. But there is still more to be done -- and I will work with the Congress to improve upon this legislation.

For example, the bill holds members of the Senate and Executive Branch employees to a much higher standard of conduct than members of the House. The specific bill language is confusing, and I believe these increased restrictions would have a negative impact on recruitment and retention of federal employees. I urge the Congress to make these standards more uniform and less confusing and to do so in a way that will not discourage public service.

In addition, this bill would have the effect of unreasonably burdening sitting President's and Vice President's reelection campaigns. I look forward to working with Congress to amend these provisions to provide a reasonable process for allocating the cost of Presidential and Vice Presidential campaign travel that is consistent with security needs.

I am pleased that the Congress has begun to make progress in bringing greater transparency to the earmarking process. However, this bill falls far short of the reform that American taxpayers deserve. I am concerned that there are potential loopholes in some of the earmark reforms included in this bill that would allow earmarks to escape sufficient scrutiny. This legislation also does not address other earmark reforms I have called on Congress to implement, such as ending the practice of putting earmarks in report language.

I thank Members of both parties who worked on this legislation, and look forward to working with the Congress to further advance ethics, lobbying, and earmark reform.

# # #

• Text of the same signing statement from the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents published by the Government Printing Office (GPO)
  (click links to see text)
  
  1. plain text at the GPO - 43 WCPD 1209 (9/17/07)
  
  2. PDF file from GPO - 43 WCPD 1209 (9/17/07)
  

The law to which this signing statement applies is:

S. 1, the "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007" -- Public Law 110-81 -- 121 STAT 735

To read the law, select one of the links below:

1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws

2. PDF file from the GPO's Public and Private Laws (digitally signed)

Statement of Administration Policy, S. 1 – Legislative Transparency And Accountability Act of 2007 – Senate (January 9, 2007) (source: OMB section of White House website)

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 13, 2007

Statement by the President


Today, I have signed into law H.R. 3222, the "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008." The Act appropriates funds needed to support the U.S. Armed Forces as they protect the United States and the American people and advance United States interests around the globe.

The Act contains certain provisions identical to those found in prior bills passed by the Congress that might be construed to be inconsistent with my Constitutional responsibilities (sections 8005, 8009, 8012(b), 8034(b), 8052, 8082, 8085, 8089, 8091, and 8116, and the provision concerning consolidation under the heading "Operation and Maintenance, Defense Wide"). To avoid such potential infirmities, I will interpret and construe such provisions in the same manner as I have previously stated in regard to those provisions.

The Act also continues through December 14, 2007, funding for Government programs for which the Congress has not yet passed regular appropriations acts. However, the Act does not provide funds needed to support members of the U.S. Armed Forces deployed for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I expect and urge the Congress to promptly present separate legislation to meet that urgent funding need.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 13, 2007.

• Text of the same signing statement from the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents published by the Government Printing Office (GPO)
  (click links to see text)
  
  1. plain text at the GPO - 43 WCPD 1498 (11/19/07)
  
  2. PDF file from GPO - 43 WCPD 1498 (11/19/07)
  

The law to which this signing statement applies is:

H.R. 3222, the "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008" -- Public Law 110-116 -- 121 STAT 1295

To read the law, select one of the links below:

1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws

2. PDF file from the GPO's Public and Private Laws (digitally signed)

1. Statement of Administration Policy, H.R. 3222 – Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008 - Senate  (October 2, 2007) (source: OMB section of White House website)

2. Statement of Administration Policy, H.R. 3222 – Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008 – House Rules  (August 10, 2007) (source: OMB section of White House website)

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 12, 2007

President Bush Signs "Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007" Into Law

Today I signed into law the "Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007," a bill to reauthorize Head Start. Over the past 40 years, Head Start has provided comprehensive child-development services to more than 20 million low-income children and their families to promote school readiness. Because of the National Reporting System, we know that more Head Start programs are helping children gain early reading and math skills. But we must take steps to improve Head Start to ensure that low-income children arrive at school ready to learn.

I am pleased that this bill addresses several longstanding Administration priorities, such as increased competition among Head Start providers, improved coordination of early childhood delivery systems, and stronger educational performance standards. Increasing competition for providers will help ensure that we offer the highest quality programs to our nation's most vulnerable young children. Greater collaboration among Head Start agencies, schools, and other programs serving young children, will help ensure our investments are better aligned and more effective. Stronger educational performance standards and an emphasis on research-based curricula and classroom practices will increase children's preparedness for school. I also support the bill's provisions to strengthen fiscal accountability and program oversight, so that dollars intended to serve children are spent wisely.

I am, however, deeply disappointed that the bill ends the National Reporting System, our only tool to examine consistently how Head Start children are performing in programs across the nation. We should be working to provide more and better data to parents, teachers, and policymakers, not less. I am concerned that the bill authorizes spending levels higher than those proposed in my budget. Approval of this legislation is not an endorsement of these funding levels or a commitment to request them. I am also disappointed that the bill fails to include my proposal to protect faith-based organizations' religious hiring autonomy.

I thank Members of both parties in Congress who worked on this legislation. I will continue to work with Congress to ensure that our neediest children are prepared for success in school and a lifetime of achievement.

• Text of the same signing statement from the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents published by the Government Printing Office (GPO)
  (click links to see text)
  
  1. plain text at the GPO - 43 WCPD 1583 (12/17/07)
  
  2. PDF file from GPO - 43 WCPD 1583 (12/17/07)

The law to which this signing statement applies is:

H.R. 1429 the "Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007" -- Public Law 110-134 -- 121 STAT 1363

To read the law, select one of the links below:

1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws

2. PDF file from the GPO's Public and Private Laws (digitally signed)

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 26, 2007
 

President Bush Signs H.R. 2764 into Law

 
Today, I signed into law H.R. 2764, legislation that will fund the Federal Government within the reasonable and responsible spending levels I proposed -- without raising taxes and without the most objectionable policy changes considered by the Congress. This law provides a down payment for the resources our troops need, without arbitrary timelines for withdrawal. The Congress should quickly take action next year to provide the remainder of the funding needed by our troops.

 I am disappointed in the way the Congress compiled this legislation, including abandoning the goal I set early this year to reduce the number and cost of earmarks by half. Instead, the Congress dropped into the bill nearly 9,800 earmarks that total more than $10 billion. These projects are not funded through a merit-based process and provide a vehicle for wasteful Government spending.

There is still more to be done to rein in Government spending. In February I will submit my budget proposal for fiscal year 2009, which will once again restrain spending, keep taxes low, and continue us on a path towards a balanced budget. I look forward to working with the Congress in the coming year to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

Finally, this legislation contains certain provisions similar to those found in prior appropriations bills passed by the Congress that might be construed to be inconsistent with my Constitutional responsibilities. To avoid such potential infirmities, the executive branch will interpret and construe such provisions in the same manner as I have previously stated in regard to similar provisions.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 26, 2007.

# # #

• Text of the same signing statement from the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents published by the Government Printing Office (GPO)
  (click links to see text)
  
  1. plain text at the GPO - 43 WCPD 1638 (12/31/07)
  
  2. PDF file from GPO - 43 WCPD 1638 (12/31/07)
  

The law to which this signing statement applies is:

H.R. 2764, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008" -- Public Law 110-161 -- 121 STAT 1844

To read the law, select one of the links below:

1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws

2. PDF file from the GPO's Public and Private Laws (digitally signed)

1. Statement of Administration Policy, H.R. 2764 – Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, and Other Purposes Appropriations Act, 2008 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008) – Senate (December 18, 2007) (source: OMB section of White House website)

2. Statement of Administration Policy, H.R. 2764 – Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, and Other Purposes Appropriations Act, 2008 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008) – House Rules (December 17, 2007) (source: OMB section of White House website)

3. Statement of Administration Policy, H.R. 2764 – Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, and Other Purposes Appropriations Act, 2008 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008) – Senate (September 6, 2007) (source: OMB section of White House website)

4. Statement of Administration Policy, H.R. 2764 – Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, and Other Purposes Appropriations Act, 2008 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008) – House  (June 19, 2007) (source: OMB section of White House website)

 

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 31, 2007

Statement by the President

Today, I have signed into law S. 2271, the "Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007." I share the deep concern of the Congress over the continued violence in Darfur perpetrated by the Government of Sudan and rebel groups. My Administration will continue its efforts to bring about significant improvements in the conditions in Sudan through sanctions against the Government of Sudan and high level diplomatic engagement and by supporting the deployment of peacekeepers in Darfur.

This Act purports to authorize State and local governments to divest from companies doing business in named sectors in Sudan and thus risks being interpreted as insulating from Federal oversight State and local divestment actions that could interfere with implementation of national foreign policy. However, as the Constitution vests the exclusive authority to conduct foreign relations with the Federal Government, the executive branch shall construe and enforce this legislation in a manner that does not conflict with that authority.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 31, 2007.

• Text of the same signing statement from the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents published by the Government Printing Office (GPO)
  (click links to see text)
  
  1. plain text at the GPO - 43 WCPD 1646 (1/8/08)
  
  2. PDF file from GPO - 43 WCPD 1646 (1/8/08)
  

The law to which this signing statement applies is:

S. 2271, the "Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007" -- Public Law 110-174 -- 121 STAT 2516

To read the law, select one of the links below:

1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws

2. PDF file from the GPO's Public and Private Laws (digitally signed)

1. The House Financial Services Committee, chaired by Barney Frank (D-Mass), held a hearing on the "Negative Implications of the President’s Signing Statement on the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act" on Friday, February 8, 2008. Witness statements, letters concerning the Bush administration's refusal to testify, and an archived webcast of the hearing are available at the Committee's website.

2. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL): Letter to the White House Urging President Bush to Rethink Signing Statement on Darfur Legislation (February 13, 2008)

3. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Ca): Statement expressing concern regarding President Bush’s decision to issue a signing statement to accompany Public Law 110-174, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act (February 8, 2008)