News About Signing Statements
Notable Commentary by John Elwood
John Elwood, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice during the George W. Bush administration, has posted interesting comments on the legal blog, The Volokh Conspiracy, concerning President Obama's signing statement for HR 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013.
Mr. Elwood's comments about the unitary executive are particularly interesting and deserve notice.
H.R. 4310, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013."
On January 3, 2013, the White House released President Obama's signing statement for H.R. 4310, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013."
The full text of the signing statement is available here and at the White House website.
This is Obama's 21st signing statement.
Correction/Update
On Friday, February 10, 2012, the White House released a document titled "Statement by President Obama upon Signing the Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act of 2012." The Office of the Federal Register classified the document in the Compilation of Presidential Documents as a statement by the President, rather than as a bill signing statement. Therefore, this website initially did not treat the document as a signing statment.
On September 26, 2012, I checked this document again. The Office of the Federal Register has reclassified this document. Therefore, I am also presenting it as a signing statement.
Obama Issues Signing Statement for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
On December 31, 2011, the White House released President Obama's signing statement for H.R. 1540, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012."
The full text of the signing statement is available here and at the White House website.
This is Obama's 19th signing statement.
Obama Issues Signing Statement for the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012
On December 23, 2011, the White House released President Obama's signing statement for H.R. 2055, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012."
The full text of the signing statement is available here and at the White House website.
This is Obama's 18th signing statement.
Obama Issues Signing Statement for the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
On April 15, 2011, the White House released President Obama's signing statement for H.R. 1473, the "Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011."
The full text of the signing statement is available here and at the White House website.
This is Obama's 17th signing statement.
Signing Statement Released for H.R. 4, the Comprehensive 1099 Taxpayer Protection and Repayment of Exchange Subsidy Overpayments Act of 2011
On April 14, 2011, the White House released President Obama's signing statement for H.R. 4, the Comprehensive 1099 Taxpayer Protection and Repayment of Exchange Subsidy Overpayments Act of 2011.
The full text of the signing statement is available here and at the White House website.
This is Obama's 16th signing statement.
Obama Issues Signing Statement for the Defense Spending Bill
On January 7, 2011, the White House released President Obama's signing statement for H.R. 6523, the "Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011."
The full text of the signing statement is available here and at the White House website.
This is Obama's 15th signing statement.
Obama May Issue Signing Statement for Guantanamo Provisions in Defense Bill
January 3, 2011 - Dafna Linzer reports, at ProPublica, that the Obama administration may issue a signing statement for the defense spending bill, stating:
"Some Administration officials are recommending that President Obama sign the spending bill and then issue a “signing statement” challenging at least some of the Guantanamo provisions as intrusions on his constitutional authority. Others have recommended that he express opposition to the Guantanamo sections without addressing their constitutionality.
"The statement, officials said, would likely be released along with a new executive order that outlined review procedures for some -- but not all -- of the 174 Guantanamo prisoners still held without charge or trial.
"Obama has used signing statements in the past, but this one would carry political significance as the first test of his relationship with a Congress in which the House is firmly in Republican control. "
The full article, "Administration Prepares to Defy Efforts to Limit Obama’s Options for Guantanamo," is available at Pro Publica's website.
January 4, 2011 - The Washington Post published a similar article, "White House may challenge bill's Guantanamo provisions." Charlie Savage, at the New York Times, has weighed in with his article, "Obama Aides Lean Against Bypass of Guantánamo Rules."
Signing Statement for the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
On January 3, 2011, the White House Press Office released President Obama's signing statement for H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The full text of the signing statement is available here and at the White House website.
This is Obama's 14th signing statement.
Signing Statement for the Claims Resolution Act of 2010
On December 8, 2010, the White House Press Office released President Obama's signing statement for H.R. 4783, the "Claims Resolution Act of 2010." The full text of the signing statement is available here and at the White House website.
This is Obama's 13th signing statement.
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