2014
Barack Obama
| Signing Statement |
Affected Law |
| 2014-01 | H.R. 2431, the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014 |
| 2014-02 | S. 2195, an Act concerning visa limitations for certain representatives to the United Nations |
| 2014-03 | H.R. 5859, the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014
|
| 2014-04 | H.R. 3979, the Carl Levin and Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 |
| 2014-05 | S. 2673, the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 |
Signing Statement for H.R. 2431, the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014(P.L. 113-86)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary _________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2014
Statement by the the President
Today, I signed the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act into law. This bipartisan legislation ensures that the federal government can continue to provide timely, effective drought warning forecasts and vital support to communities that are vulnerable to drought. States, cities, towns, farmers, and businesses rely on tools and data from the National Integrated Drought Information System to make informed decisions about water use, crop planting, wildfire response, and other critical areas. As climate change increases the intensity of weather-related disasters such as droughts, wildfires, storms and floods, providing access to updated drought-related science and tools is growing even more important. Currently, a number of Western states are facing drought conditions, including a severe drought in California, and my Administration is pursuing every measure to provide relief and support in partnership with States. To complement the National Integrated Drought Information System, as part of my Climate Action Plan, federal agencies have also formed a National Drought Resilience Partnership to help communities better prepare for droughts in the long term, and prevent the worst impacts on families and businesses. I commend Congress for passing this bipartisan bill to continue to build our national resilience to drought and help communities, farmers, businesses and individuals better prepare and recover when disaster strikes.
Annotations
Statement by the President on H.R. 2431 (last visited 3/15/2014)
Text of the same signing statement from the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (DCPD) published by the Office of the Federal Register at the Government Printing Office (GPO)
(click either link below to see the text)
1. HTML format at the GPO - Daily Comp. Pres. Docs., 2014 DCPD No. 00145
2. PDF file from the GPO - Daily Comp. Pres. Docs., 2014 DCPD No. 0145
The law to which this signing statement applies is:
H.R. 2431, the "National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014" - Public Law 113-86 -- 127 STAT 1015
To read the law, select one of the links below:
1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws
2. PDF from the GPO's Public and Private Laws - digitally signed by the GPO
3. Enrolled text from GPO - PDF file
Signing Statement for S. 2195, an Act concerning visa limitations for certain representatives to the United Nations (P.L. 113-100)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary _________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2014
Statement by the the President
Today I have signed into law S. 2195, an Act concerning visa limitations for certain representatives to the United Nations. S. 2195 amends section 407 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991, to provide that no individual may be admitted to the United States as a representative to the United Nations, if that individual has been found to have been engaged in espionage or terrorist activity directed against the United States or its allies, and if that individual may pose a threat to United States national security interests. As President Bush observed in signing the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991, this provision "could constrain the exercise of my exclusive constitutional authority to receive within the United States certain foreign ambassadors to the United Nations." (Public Papers of the President, George Bush, Vol. I, 1990, page 240). Acts of espionage and terrorism against the United States and our allies are unquestionably problems of the utmost gravity, and I share the Congress's concern that individuals who have engaged in such activity may use the cover of diplomacy to gain access to our Nation. Nevertheless, as President Bush also observed, "curtailing by statute my constitutional discretion to receive or reject ambassadors is neither a permissible nor a practical solution." I shall therefore continue to treat section 407, as originally enacted and as amended by S. 2195, as advisory in circumstances in which it would interfere with the exercise of this discretion.
Annotations
Statement by the President on S. 2195 (last visited 4/20/2014)
Text of the same signing statement from the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (DCPD) published by the Office of the Federal Register at the Government Printing Office (GPO)
(click either link below to see the text)
1. HTML format at the GPO - Daily Comp. Pres. Docs., 2014 DCPD No. 275
2. PDF file from the GPO - Daily Comp. Pres. Docs., 2014 DCPD No. 275
The law to which this signing statement applies is:
S. 2195, an Act concerning visa limitations for certain representatives to the United Nations" - Public Law 113-100 -- 127 STAT 1145
To read the law, select one of the links below:
1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws - link to GPO website
2. PDF from the GPO's Public and Private Laws - digitally signed by the GPO
3. Enrolled text from GPO - PDF file
Signing Statement for H.R. 5859, the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-272)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary _________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2014
Statement by the President on the Ukraine Freedom Support Act
Today, I have signed H.R. 5859, the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014, into law. Signing this legislation does not signal a change in the Administration’s sanctions policy, which we have carefully calibrated in accordance with developments on the ground and coordinated with our allies and partners. At this time, the Administration does not intend to impose sanctions under this law, but the Act gives the Administration additional authorities that could be utilized, if circumstances warranted. My Administration will continue to work closely with allies and partners in Europe and internationally to respond to developments in Ukraine and will continue to review and calibrate our sanctions to respond to Russia's actions. We again call on Russia to end its occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea, cease support to separatists in eastern Ukraine, and implement the obligations it signed up to under the Minsk agreements. As I have said many times, our goal is to promote a diplomatic solution that provides a lasting resolution to the conflict and helps to promote growth and stability in Ukraine and regionally, including in Russia. In this context, we continue to call on Russia's leadership to implement the Minsk agreements and to reach a lasting and comprehensive resolution to the conflict which respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We remain prepared to roll back sanctions should Russia take the necessary steps.
Annotations
Statement by the President on H.R. 5958 (last visited 12/19/2014)
Text of the same signing statement from the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (DCPD) published by the Office of the Federal Register at the Government Printing Office (GPO)
(click either link below to see the text)
1. HTML format at the GPO - Daily Comp. Pres. Docs., 2014 DCPD 00941
2. PDF file from the GPO -Daily Comp. Pres. Docs., 2014 DCPD 00941
The law to which this signing statement applies is:
H.R. 5859, the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 - Public Law 113-272 -- 128 STAT 2951
To read the law, select one of the links below:
1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws
2. PDF from the GPO's Public and Private Laws
3. Enrolled text from GPO - PDF file
Signing Statement for H.R. 3979, the Carl Levin and Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (P.L. 113-291)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary _________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2014
Statement By The President on H.R. 3979
Today I have signed into law H.R. 3979, the "Carl Levin and Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015." I have signed this annual defense authorization legislation because it will provide vital benefits for military personnel and their families, as well as critical contingency authorities needed to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and to respond to emerging needs in the face of evolving terrorist threats and emergent crises worldwide.
Earlier this month, the Department of Defense transferred the last remaining third-country nationals held in U.S. custody in Afghanistan, ending U.S. detention operations in Afghanistan. Yet halfway around the world, the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, remains open for the 13th consecutive year, costing the American people hundreds of millions of dollars each year and undermining America's standing in the world. As I have said many times, the continued operation of this detention facility weakens our national security by draining resources, damaging our relationships with key allies and partners, and emboldening violent extremists. Closing the detention facility is a national imperative.
I have repeatedly called upon the Congress to work with my Administration to close the detention facility at Guantanamo once and for all. Individuals from across the political spectrum have recognized that the facility should be closed. But instead of removing unwarranted and burdensome restrictions that curtail the executive branch's options for managing the detainee population, this bill continues them. Section 1032 renews the bar against using appropriated funds to construct or modify any facility in the United States, its territories, or possessions to house any Guantanamo detainee in the custody or under the control of the Department of Defense unless authorized by the Congress. Section 1033 likewise renews the bar against using appropriated funds to transfer Guantanamo detainees into the United States for any purpose. The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, contains similar provisions as well as those relating to existing restrictions on the transfer of detainees abroad. I have consistently opposed these restrictions and will continue to work with the Congress to remove them. More than 80 percent of detainees at one time held at the detention facility have now been transferred. The executive branch must have the flexibility, with regard to those detainees who remain, to determine when and where to prosecute them, based on the facts and circumstances of each case and our national security interests, and when and where to transfer them consistent with our national security and our humane treatment policy. Under certain circumstances, the provisions concerning detainee transfers in both bills would violate constitutional separation of powers principles. In the event that the restrictions on the transfer of detainees operate in a manner that violates constitutional separation of powers principles, my Administration will implement them in a manner that avoids the constitutional conflict.
The Guantanamo detention facility's continued operation undermines our national security. We must close it. I call on Members from both sides of the aisle to work with us to bring this chapter of American history to a close.
BARACK OBAMA
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 19, 2014.
Annotations
Statement by the President on H.R. 3979 (last visited 12/21/2014)
Text of the same signing statement from the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (DCPD) published by the Office of the Federal Register at the Government Printing Office (GPO)
(click either link below to see the text)
1. HTML format at the GPO - Daily Comp. Pres. Docs., 2014 DCPD 00945
2. PDF file from the GPO -Daily Comp. Pres. Docs., 2014 DCPD 00945
The law to which this signing statement applies is:
H.R. 3979, the Carl Levin and Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 - Public Law 113-291 -- 128 STAT 3292
To read the law, select one of the links below:
1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws
2. PDF from the GPO's Public and Private Laws
3. Enrolled text from GPO - PDF file
Signing Statement for S. 2673, the "United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-296)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary _________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2014
Statement By The President on S. 2673
Today I have signed into law S. 2673, the "United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014," an Act that underscores the United States unshakeable commitment to Israel's security and its future. This bipartisan piece of legislation reflects the importance placed by my Administration on strengthening and deepening U.S.-Israel bilateral cooperation and ties. It reinforces critical defense and security programs, which have reached an unprecedented level under my Administration. It also lays the groundwork for increased trade and cooperation across a range of cutting-edge fields, including energy, water, agriculture, and technology. Sections 11(b) and 12(c)(2) of this bill purport to require me to provide to the Congress certain diplomatic communications and direct the Secretary of State to undertake certain diplomatic initiatives. Consistent with longstanding constitutional practice, my Administration will interpret and implement these sections in a manner that does not interfere with my constitutional authority to conduct diplomacy and to protect the confidentiality of diplomatic communications.
BARACK OBAMA
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 19, 2014.
Annotations
Statement by the President on S. 2673 (last visited 12/21/2014)
Text of the same signing statement from the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (DCPD) published by the Office of the Federal Register at the Government Printing Office (GPO)
(click either link below to see the text)
1. HTML format at the GPO - Daily Comp. Pres. Docs., 2014 DCPD 00946
2. PDF file from the GPO - Daily Comp. Pres. Docs., 2014 DCPD 00946
The law to which this signing statement applies is:
S. 2195, an Act concerning visa limitations for certain representatives to the United Nations" - Public Law 113-296 -- 128 STAT 4075
To read the law, select one of the links below:
1. Plain text at the GPO's Public and Private Laws
2. PDF from the GPO's Public and Private Laws
3. Enrolled text from GPO - PDF file
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