Statement by the President
[2001-01] --  37 WCPD 477 (March 26, 2001)
 

Today I have signed into law S.J. Res. 6, a measure that repeals an unduly burdensome and overly broad regulation dealing with ergonomics. This is the first time the Congressional Review Act has been put to use. This resolution is a good and proper use of the Act because the different branches of our Government need to be held accountable.

There needs to be a balance between and an understanding of the costs and benefits associated with Federal regulations.  In this instance, though, in exchange for uncertain benefits, the ergonomics rule would have cost both large and small employers billions of dollars and presented employers with overwhelming compliance challenges.  Also, the rule would have applied a bureaucratic one-size-fits-all solution to a broad range of employers and workers -- not good government at work.

The safety and health of our Nation's workforce is a priority for my Administration.  Together we will pursue a comprehensive approach to ergonomics that addresses the concerns surrounding the ergonomics rule repealed today.  We will work with the Congress, the business community, and our Nation's workers to address this important issue.

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 28, 2001
 

This legislation will allow the Nation to express the appreciation due the World War II generation for their selfless sacrifices that preserved the freedoms we all enjoy.  I commend the Congress for a truly bipartisan effort to expedite construction of the memorial.

Now that debate over the site and basic design is concluded, the time has come for all concerned with the creation of the memorial to act with the same determination and sense of common purpose so wonderfully displayed by those we honor.  We must get the job done, so that those who served are able to see the Nation's permanent expression of remembrance and thanks.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 28, 2001.
 

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[PDF from GPO]
 

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 24, 2001

President's Statement on H.R. 2216, the "Supplemental Appropriations Act, FY 2001"
[2001-04] --  37 WCPD 1096 (July 30, 2001)

Today I signed into law H.R. 2216, the "Supplemental Appropriations Act, FY 2001," which provides funding for the Department of Defense and other departments.

This important supplemental appropriation provides urgently needed resources to enhance defense readiness and operations and maintenance; to improve the morale of our service men and service women, and their families; to provide needed home energy assistance for low-income families; to aid -victims of radiation exposures associated with the Government's nuclear weapons testing program; to provide a U.S. contribution for the global trust fund to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis; and for other purposes.

I commend the Congress for expeditiously providing critical resources needed to improve our support for our men and women in the military while maintaining a strict fiscal discipline. The Congress provided this additional funding within the budget agreement's discretionary spending limits. The resources I requested for the Department of Defense will help our military readiness and help lay the groundwork for further strengthening after Secretary Rumsfeld's ongoing strategy review.

I applaud the Congress for passing this bill without resorting to the abusive use of the emergency designation. We have seen "emergencies" become a recurring part of the budget process, and become magnets for special-interest, non-essential spending.

I will continue to work with the Congress and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to see that FEMA meets its obligations to perform its extremely important role of disaster relief in a thorough and timely manner.

I hope the bipartisan approval of this bill is a harbinger of improved, more orderly deliberations for the remainder of the FY 2002 appropriations process. The fiscal discipline demon-strated in this Supplemental Appropriations Act, developed with collegiality and in a timely manner, sets a standard for how the Congress should handle spending bills for the next fiscal year.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
July 24, 2001.
 

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[PDF file from GPO]
 

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 3, 2001

Today, I have signed into law H.R. 1954, the "ILSA Extension Act of 2001." This Act provides for a 5-year extension of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) with amendments that affect certain of the investment provisions.

I believe that we should review sanctions frequently to assess their effectiveness and continued suitability.  A new provision in this bill mandates a report on the impact of certain actions taken pursuant to the Act.  I approve of this statutorily mandated requirement to periodically assess the effectiveness of sanctions and to recommend whether the Congress should terminate or modify the Act.  The Act also continues the President's power to waive sanctions in the national interest.

My Administration shares the Congress' deep concerns about the objectionable policies and behavior of Iran and Libya.  We are addressing these concerns in a number of ways.  In particular, we are strengthening our efforts with other countries, whose cooperation is essential to pursuing the most effective approaches to solving the problems of proliferation and terrorism addressed by ILSA.

Libya must address its obligations under U.N. Security Council Resolutions.  These relate to the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and require Libya to accept responsibility for the actions of Libyan officials, disclose all it knows about the bombing, renounce terrorism, and pay appropriate compensation.  Cooperative action by Libya on these four issues would make it possible for us to begin to move toward a more constructive relationship.

With respect to Iran, we continue to have serious concerns over its support for terrorism, opposition to the Middle East peace process, and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.  I hope that the Iranian people's recently expressed desire for a freer, more open, and more prosperous society will give our two countries an opportunity to identify areas where our interests converge, and where we can work together constructively for our mutual benefit.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 3, 2001.

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[link to document at GPO]
[PDF file from GPO]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 18, 2001

President Signs Authorization for Use of Military Force bill
Statement by the President
[2001-06] --  37 WCPD 1333 (September 24, 2001)

Today I am signing Senate Joint Resolution 23, the "Authorization for Use of Military Force."

On September 11, 2001, terrorists committed treacherous and horrific acts of violence against innocent Americans and individuals from other countries.  Civilized nations and people around the world have expressed outrage at, and have unequivocally condemned, these attacks.  Those who plan, authorize, commit, or aid terrorist attacks against the United States and its interests -- including those who harbor terrorists -- threaten the national security of the United States.  It is, therefore, necessary and appropriate that the United States exercise its rights to defend itself and protect United States citizens both at home and abroad.

In adopting this resolution in response to the latest terrorist acts committed against the United States and the continuing threat to the United States and its citizens from terrorist activities, both Houses of Congress have acted wisely, decisively, and in the finest traditions of our country.  I tha