For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 21, 2001
 

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we will pursue a comprehensive approach to ergonomics that addresses the concerns surrounding the ergonomics rule repealed today.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.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 20, 2001.
 

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]
 

Statement on Signing the Animal Disease Risk Assessment, Prevention, and Control Act of 2001
May 24, 2001
[2001-02] --  37 WCPD 804 (May 28, 2001)


Today I am signing into law S. 700, the ``Animal Disease Risk Assessment, Prevention, and Control Act of 2001.'' The Act is intended to assist the Department of Agriculture in its continuing efforts to protect against introduction into the United States of two unrelated animal diseases occurring abroad--bovine spongiform encephalopathy and foot-and-mouth disease. Preventing such diseases from entering the United States is a high priority, and the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, has put strong measures in place designed to accomplish that goal.

Section 3 of the bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit to certain committees and subcommittees of the Congress a preliminary report concerning any immediate needs for additional legislative authority or appropriations and a final report with recommendations for legislation that will improve efforts to assess, prevent, or control transmission of certain diseases. Section 3 will be interpreted in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the President to recommend to the consideration of the Congress such measures as the President shall judge necessary and expedient.

George W. Bush
The White House,
May 24, 2001.

Note [supplied by the GPO]: S. 700, approved May 24, was assigned Public Law No. 107-9. This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on May 25.


►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[not available at White House website]
[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]
 

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

Statement by the President
[2001-03] --  37 WCPD 819 (June 4, 2001)
 

Today I have signed into law H.R. 1696, a bill to expedite the construction of the World War II memorial in the District of Columbia.  It is indeed fitting that this measure becomes law on Memorial Day.

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]
[no PDF file available from GPO]

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

Statement by the President
[2001-05] --  37 WCPD 1132 (August 6, 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]
[no PDF file available 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 thank the leadership of both Houses for their role in expeditiously passing this historic joint resolution.  I have had the benefit of meaningful consultations with members of the Congress since the attacks of September 11, 2001, and I will continue to consult closely with them as our Nation responds to this threat to our peace and security.

Senate Joint Resolution 23 recognizes the seriousness of the terrorist threat to our Nation and the authority of the President under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of terrorism against the United States.  In signing this resolution, I maintain the longstanding position of the executive branch regarding the President's constitutional authority to use force, including the Armed Forces of the United States and regarding the constitutionality of the War Powers Resolution.

Our whole Nation is unalterably committed to a direct, forceful, and comprehensive response to these terrorist attacks and the scourge of terrorism directed against the United States and its interests.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 18, 2001.

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[link to document at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 19, 2001

President Signs Brown v. Board of Education Anniversary Commission
[2001-07] --  37 WCPD 1336 (September 24, 2001)

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2133, to create the "Brown v. Board of Education 50th Anniversary Commission." The Commission will advise the Secretary of Education on activities to help celebrate one of the most important decisions ever issued by the U.S. Supreme Court -- the decision that recognized the constitutional right to freedom from racial discrimination in our public schools. Establishing a commission to help celebrate the decision is particularly appropriate as we work to secure passage by the Congress of my Administration's educational initiatives, so that we leave no child behind.

Consistent with the requirements of the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, I welcome the participation, in an advisory capacity on the commission, of representatives of the Judiciary; the Brown Foundation for Education Equity, Excellence, and Research; the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund; and the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in the activities of the commission. While the Constitution does not permit them to participate in the performance of executive functions, their advice will be crucial to the effective functioning of the commission. As I exercise my constitutional power of appointment to name 11 members of the commission, under the Appointments Clause and the enabling legislation, I welcome, as a matter of comity, the suggestions of the congressional leadership for those positions.

I look forward to the national celebration in 2004 of the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 18, 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
September 22, 2001

President Signs Airline Transportation Bill
Statement by the President
[2001-08] --  37 WCPD 1358 (October 1, 2001)

Today I signed the Airline Transportation and Systems Stabilization Act, which will provide urgently needed tools to assure the safety and immediate stability of our Nation's commercial airline system.  This important legislation also establishes a process for compensating victims of the terrorist attacks.

The terrorists who attacked our country on September 11th will not shut down our vital businesses or thwart our way of life.  I commend the Congress for their cooperation and quick action in passing responsible legislation that will improve passenger safety, help the victims and their loved ones, and keep America's airplanes flying while the airlines develop long-term viability plans. 

 

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 5, 2001

President Signs United Nations Bill
Statement by the President
[2001-09] --  37 WCPD 1422 (October 8, 2001)

Today I am pleased to sign into law S. 248, which authorizes U.S. payments to the United Nations.  This payment constitutes the second of three payments of arrears.  When I met with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in March, I told him that the United States was committed to paying the arrears it owes to the United Nations.  Today, I am glad to take this important step towards fulfilling that commitment.

As the world's preeminent multilateral institution, the United Nations plays a critical role in defusing international crises, resolving longstanding conflicts, and alleviating suffering, poverty, and disease. The United Nations also has a vital role in cracking down on violators of international law and eliminating sources of funding for terrorist operations.

This release of funds will enhance the close bond between the United States and the United Nations, and will help to facilitate the work the United States carries out in concert with other U.N. members.

In making these funds available, Republicans and Democrats in the Congress have again demonstrated their willingness to work together in a constructive manner to address our Nation's challenges at this important time in our history.  I would like to pay a special tribute to Senators Helms and Biden, whose leadership has served as a catalyst for U.N. reform, and provided a means for the United States to fulfill its international obli-gations.  I also wish to thank Representatives Hyde and Lantos, who have worked in a bipartisan manner toward making this payment to the United Nations a reality.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
October 5, 2001.

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 5, 2001

President Signs Interior Appropriations Bill
Statement by the President
[2001-10] --  37 WCPD 1601 (November 12, 2001)

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2217, the "Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002."

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act.  The bill abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion and supports several of my Administration's key initiatives with:

-    funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to acquire and conserve lands in national parks, forests, refuges, and public lands, and assist States in promoting conservation and outdoor recreation;

-    funding to reduce the National Park Service deferred maintenance backlog and meet the growing demands on park facilities and resources;

-    funding for Indian school construction to keep us on the 5-year path to eliminate the current school repair and maintenance backlog by 2006; and

-    full funding for key energy programs, such as the Clean Coal Power initiative, to work in partnership with industry to direct research towards reducing the environmental impact of coal used for power generation in the United States.

I am disappointed that my initiative to increase the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program by $120 million was reduced by $43 million in the final version of this bill.  This reduction will deny program benefits for over 17,000 low-income families, compared with my request.

Several provisions in the bill purport to require congres-sional approval before executive branch execution of aspects of the bill.  I will interpret such provisions to require notification only, since any other interpretation would contradict the Supreme Court ruling in INS v. Chadha.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 5, 2001.

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]
 

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 5, 2001

President Signs Military Construction Appropriations Bill
Statement by the President
[2001-11] --  37 WCPD 1602 (November 12, 2001)

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2904, the "Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2002," which provides $10.5 billion for military construction and family housing programs administered by the Department of Defense.

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act.  The Act abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion and funds the vast majority of my request for military construction projects, the military housing program, and other projects for our military personnel and their families.  The requested projects are critical to supporting military readiness and the quality of life for our soldiers.  My Administration showed its commitment to improving the quality of housing available to our military personnel and their families by including an additional $400 million in the FY 2002 Budget.  I want to thank the Congress for including it in this bill. However, I am disappointed that the bill includes a 1.127 percent general reduction, and a rescission of $55 million from the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.

As America battles terrorism, we must ensure that our men and women in uniform live in, train at, and deploy from adequate facilities.  This bill shows our commitment to our service members by constructing and upgrading military installations, and military family housing in the United States and overseas.

My Administration appreciates that the Congress has worked expeditiously during this difficult and trying time in our Nation's history to consider the FY 2002 appropriations bills.  Now, through a renewed sense of bipartisanship, the Congress and my Administration must work together to ensure the timely enactment of the remaining bills.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 5, 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
November 13, 2001

President Signs Treasury Appropriations Bill
Statement by the President
[2001-12] --  37 WCPD 1651 (November 19, 2001)

I have signed into Law H.R. 2590, the "Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2002."

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act.  The bill abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion and supports several of my Administration's key initiatives with funding for:

$    the Prevention of Youth and Gang Violence Initiative, enabling the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to continue its two programs that focus on youth violence reduction;

$    the Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act Initiative, which will allow continued implementation of this Act by the United States Customs Service;

$    the New Counterdrug Research and Technology Initiative, which doubles the FY 2000 request for the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center; and,

$    the Drug Free Communities Initiative.

The Act funds the Department of the Treasury's law enforcement bureaus at $4.8 billion, which is comprised of $2.7 billion for the U.S. Customs Service to protect our Nation's borders and to facilitate the flow of legitimate trade and passengers, and $924 million for the protective operations of the United States Secret Service, including $45 million for additional special agents.  The Act augments funding for Treasury's ongoing efforts to target, detect, and dismantle terrorist fund-raising and money laundering at home and abroad.  In addition, the Act provides $139 million for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to train Federal, State, and local law enforcement personnel.

I am pleased that the bill continues current law provisions that prohibit the use of Federal funds to pay for abortions in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, except in cases where the life of the mother is endangered, or the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.

Unfortunately, the Act does not include my proposal to consolidate the eighteen separate appropriations into a single appropriation for the Executive Office of the President.  The Congress' continued insistence on specifying in extraordinary detail the specific operations of the Executive Office of the President unnecessarily infringes on my ability to freely manage my own office to meet the Nation's needs.

My Administration appreciates that the Congress has worked expeditiously during this difficult and trying time in our Nation's history to consider the FY 2002 appropriations bills.  Now, through a renewed sense of bipartisanship, the Congress and the Administration must work together to ensure the timely enactment of the remaining bills.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 12, 2001.

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 13, 2001

President Signs Energy and Water Appropriations Bill
Statement by the President
[2001-13] --  37 WCPD 1650 (November 19, 2001)

I have signed into law H.R. 2311, the "Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2002."

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act.  The bill abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion.  It provides funding for several important programs with significant national benefits including:

$    key research projects designed to develop new energy technologies and improve the efficiency of existing energy technologies, such as for solar and renewable energy production, as called for in the National Energy Policy report;

$    nonproliferation programs that seek to prevent nuclear materials and other weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of terrorists and rogue states;

$    stockpile stewardship, which is critical to maintaining the safety, reliability, and performance of our nuclear weapons stockpile; and

$    water resources development and management projects, and programs for commercial navigation, flood damage reduction, and environmental restoration and enhancement.

Section 303 of the bill purports to require congressional approval before executive branch execution of aspects of the bill.  I will interpret such provisions to require notification only, since any other interpretation would contradict the Supreme Court ruling in INS v. Chadha. Provisions of H.R. 2311 that purport to remove my authority to oversee the activities of the Army Corps of Engineers will be construed consistent with my constitutional authority to supervise the unitary executive branch.

My Administration appreciates that the Congress has worked expeditiously during this difficult and trying time in our Nation's history to consider the FY 2002 appropriations bills.  Now, through a renewed sense of bipartisanship, the Congress and the Administration must work together to ensure the timely enactment of the remaining bills.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 12, 2001.

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 13, 2001

President Signs Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill
Statement by the President
[2001-14] --  37 WCPD 1651 (November 19, 2001)

I have signed into law H.R. 2647, the "Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002."

The Act provides Fiscal Year 2002 appropriations for the Congress, the Congressional Budget Office, the Architect of the Capitol, the General Accounting Office, the Government Printing Office, and the Library of Congress.

My Administration appreciates that the Congress has worked expeditiously during this difficult and trying time in our Nation's history to consider the Fiscal Year 2002 appro-priations bills.  Now, through a renewed sense of bipartisanship, the Congress and the Administration must work together to ensure the timely enactment of the remaining bills.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 12, 2001.

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 26, 2001

President's Statement on H.R. 2620, the "Departments of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002"
[2001-15] --  37 WCPD 1714 (December 3, 2001)

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2620, the "Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002."

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act. The Act abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion and supports several of my Administration's key initiatives with:

• $955 million for the Veterans Affairs Duty to Assist initiative to improve performance in claims processing and assist veterans with their claims;
• $160 million for the National Science Foundation Math and Science Partnerships initiative, which provides funds for States to join with institutions of higher education in strengthening math and science education in grades K-12; and
• $50 million for the Housing and Urban Development Down Payment Assistance initiative that assists low-income families with the down payment on their first home.

Several additional initiatives I have proposed were worthy of funding but are not part of this bill:- the Community Technology Centers and Improving Access programs in HUD, the Silver Scholarships and Veterans Mission for Youth programs under the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the VA/DOD Medical Care Choice initiative.

The Silver Scholarship Program would have provided Silver Scholarships to 10,000 older Americans who volunteer 500 hours of service tutoring and mentoring students in after-school programs. Each $1,000 scholarship could be deposited in an education savings account for use by seniors' children, grandchildren, or another child. The Veterans Mission for Youth program would have provided matching grants to community organizations that connect veterans and retired military personnel with America's youth through mentoring, tutoring, after-school, and other programs.

The VA/DoD Medical Care Choice initiative would ensure that all military retirees annually choose either the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs as their health care provider. This would enhance quality and continuity of care and prevent duplication of services and costs.

Several provisions in the Act purport to require congressional approval before executive branch execution of aspects of the bill. My Administration will interpret such provisions to require notification only, since any other interpretation would contradict the Supreme Court ruling in INS v. Chadha.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 26, 2001.

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]
 

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

President Signs Statutory Reporting Requirement Bill
Statement by the President
[2001-16] --  37 WCPD 1722 (December 3, 2001)

Today I have signed into law H.R. 1042, an Act to prevent the scheduled elimination of certain legislatively mandated executive branch reports.  This legislation restores 29 statutory reporting requirements that expired last year, pursuant to the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995.  I sign this legislation in deference to the Congress determination that the reports are necessary to fulfilling its oversight responsibili-ties.  But I remain concerned that many of the existing statutory reporting requirements impose an excessive burden on executive branch agencies.  In particular, I am concerned that some of the reports reinstated by H.R. 1042 are either obsolete or duplicative of other reporting requirements.  My Administration will continue to work with the Congress to reduce the burden created by unnecessary statutory reporting requirements through the elimination of these unnecessary requirements, while respecting the oversight responsibilites of the Congress.

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

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
[link to document at www.whitehouse.gov]
[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]

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

President Signs Agriculture Appropriations Bill
Statement by the President
[2001-17] --  37 WCPD 1723 (Dec. 3, 2001)

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2330, the "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002."

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act.  The Act abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion.  It provides for several important programs with significant national benefits by:

• fully funding the current participation rate for the key nutrition program for women, infants, and children;
   
• supporting Department of Agriculture (USDA) food safety activities, including providing 7,600 meat and poultry inspectors; and
   
• redirecting USDA research to provide new emphasis in key areas such as biotechnology, the development of new agricultural products, and improved protection against emerging exotic plant and animal diseases, as well as crop and animal pests.

A number of provisions contained in the bill purport to restrict executive branch execution of programs that are funded in the bill.  Where such provisions contradict the Supreme Court ruling in INS v. Chadha, their intent will be interpreted as advisory only.

I appreciate that the Congress has worked expeditiously during this difficult and trying time in our Nation's history to consider the FY 2002 appropriations bills.  Through a renewed sense of bipartisanship, the Congress and my Administration must work together to ensure the timely enactment of the remaining bills.

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

President Signs Internet Access Taxation Moratorium
Statement by the President on H.R. 1552
[2001-18] --  37 WCPD 1722 (December 3, 2001)

*NOTE: THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF THIS RELEASE REVISES THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF A RELEASE ISSUED EARLIER TODAY ON H.R. 1552

Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 1552, which will ensure that the growth of the Internet is not slowed by additional taxation.

The Internet is an innovative force that enables such applications as distance learning and precision farming.  Government must do its part to make access to these services affordable.  It should not raise costs through additional taxation.

Extending the moratorium is particularly important during this crucial holiday shopping season.  Online spending is estimated to account for over 15 percent of total holiday purchases this year.  H.R. 1552 will keep access to e-commerce services affordable.  This law will be a big help to those Americans who shop from home because they are unable to travel to stores and malls.

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

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

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

President Signs Commerce Appropriations Bill
Statement by the President on H.R. 2500
[2001-19] --  37 WCPD 1723 (December 3, 2001)

*NOTE: THE 11TH PARAGRAPH OF THIS RELEASE REVISES THE ELEVENTH PARAGRAPH OF A RELEASE ISSUED EARLIER ON H.R. 2500

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2500, the "Department of Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002."

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act.  The bill abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion and supports several of my Administration's key initiatives including:

--   $100 million to support a backlog elimination initiative to achieve a universal six-month processing standard for all immigration applications;

--   570 additional Immigration and Naturalization Service agents to protect our Northern and Southern borders;

--   $50 million grant program in the Office of Justice Programs to aid counties along the Southwestern border with their costs of detaining and prosecuting drug cases referred to them by Federal law enforcement agents;

--   $50 million for drug courts, which provide a supervised treatment alternative to prison sentences for non-violent drug possession offenders, to enable Federal assistance to over 120 new or existing drug court programs.  To date, over 57,000 offenders have completed drug court programs, and their recidivism rate is much lower than that of comparable offenders;

--   $15 million for grants to create community-based task forces for reducing youth violence and to assist State and local prosecution of firearms offenses, and $9 million for the U.S. Attorneys to hire dedicated prosecutors who will appropriately prosecute juvenile gun offenders and those who supply them with guns;

--   $20 million to assist State and local law enforcement agencies with the costs associated with methamphetamine laboratory clean-up; and,

--   $5 million for a faith-based prison pre-release pilot project to reduce the rate at which ex-offenders are returned to prison through intensive counseling and family and community transition instruction.

In addition, at this critical time, when we are mounting a world-wide effort to defeat terrorism, I appreciate that this bill provides significant new funding for our Federal law enforcement  agencies in the Department of Justice, our diplomatic operations overseas, and for enhanced embassy security.

I note that Section 612 of the bill sets forth certain requirements regarding the organization of the Department of Justice's efforts to combat terrorism.  This provision raises separation of powers concerns by improperly and unnecessarily impinging upon my authority as President to direct the actions of the Executive Branch and its employees.  I therefore will construe the provision to avoid constitutional difficulties and preserve the separation of powers required by the Constitution.

Section 626 would require the President to submit a legislative proposal to establish a program for the compensation of victims of international terrorism.  I will apply this provision consistent with my constitutional responsibilities.  In addition, subsection (c) of that section purports to remove Iran's immunity from suit in a case brought by the 1979 Tehran hostages in the District Court for the District of Columbia. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Executive Branch will act, and encourage the courts to act, with regard to Subsection 626(c) of the bill in a manner consistent with the obligations of the United States under the Algiers Accords that achieved the release of U.S.  hostages in 1981.

Section 630 prohibits the use of appropriated funds for cooperation with, or assistance or other support to, the International Criminal Court (ICC) or its Preparatory Commission.  While Section 630 clearly reflects that Congress agrees with my Administration that it is not in the interests of the United States to become a party to the ICC treaty, I must note that this provision must be applied consistent with my constitutional authority in the area of foreign affairs, which, among other things, will enable me to take actions to protect U.S. nationals from the purported jurisdiction of the treaty.

In addition, several other provisions of the bill unconstitutionally constrain my authority regarding the conduct of diplomacy and my authority as Commander-in-Chief.  I will apply these provisions consistent with my constitutional responsibilities.

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

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[PDF from GPO]
 

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

President Signs Transportation Appropriations Act
Statement by the President
[2001-20] --  37 WCPD 1802 (December 24, 2001)

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2299, the "Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002."

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act. The bill abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion and supports several of my Administration's key initiatives with:

• $140 million for border safety to ensure an open border for trade between the United States and Mexico through the establishment of an inspection and certification system that will ensure a high level of motor carrier safety;
   
• $5 billion for Coast Guard operations and capital expenses, including $243 million to support expanded drug interdiction efforts as authorized in the Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act;
   
• $1.2 billion for the newly created Transportation Security Administration to enhance airport and aircraft security;
   
• $32.8 billion for key highway infrastructure and safety initiatives in compliance with authorized levels;
   
• $10.2 billion for aviation operations and airport improvement grants to expand safety, security, and capacity; and
   
• $6.7 billion for mass transit grants and capital programs.

Several provisions in the bill purport to require congressional approval before executive branch execution of aspects of the bill. I will interpret such provisions to require notification only, since any other interpretation would contradict the Supreme Court ruling in INS v. Chadha.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 18, 2001.
 

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 21, 2001

First-Ever International Wildlife Refuge Established
Statement by the President
[2001-21] --  37 WCPD 1819 (December 24, 2001)

Today I am very pleased to sign into law H.R. 1230, which will establish the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, the first-ever international wildlife refuge.

The Detroit River on the Michigan-Canada border has lost over 95 percent of its coastal wetland habitat and has been designated a Waterfowl Habitat Area of Concern by the Canadian and American governments. Establishing this International Wildlife Refuge will do a lot to provide this special place with the protection that it needs.

This area is a prime waterfowl migration corridor and is considered a special place for sportsmen, birders, and boaters. An estimated 300,000 diving ducks stop in the River to rest and feed during their fall migration from Canada. At least 65 species of fish live in the Detroit River, including millions of walleye.

This innovative legislation enhances public-private partnerships for conservation and habitat restoration. I want to thank the many area businesses and groups that developed the conservation vision for the refuge.

George W. Bush
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 21, 2001.
 

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 21, 2001

President Signs Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act
Statement by the President
[2001-22] --  37 WCPD 1820 (December 24, 2001)

Today I have signed into law S. 494, the "Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001." This Act symbolizes the clear bipartisan resolve in the United States to promoting human rights, good governance, and economic development in Africa. My Administration shares fully the Congress' deep concerns about the political and economic hardships visited upon Zimbabwe by that country's leadership. I hope the provisions of this important legislation will support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to effect peaceful democratic change, achieve economic growth, and restore the rule of law.

Section 4(c) of the Act purports to direct the executive branch to oppose and vote against the extension of loans or the cancellation of debt in international financial institutions unless and until I make a certification or national interest determination. I am concerned that this provision burdens my constitutional authority in the area of foreign affairs to conduct negotiations and cast votes in international organizations. I will construe the provision as being subject to my exclusive authority to negotiate or vote in international financial institutions.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 21, 2001.

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 28, 2001

President Signs Defense Authorization Act
Statement by the President
[2001-23] --  37 WCPD 1834 (December 31, 2001)
 

I have today signed into law S. 1438, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002." The Act authorizes the funding necessary to defend the United States and its interests around the globe. In particular, it provides the resources needed to continue the war against global terrorism, accelerate programs for defense against biological or chemical attacks, pursue an effective missile defense, properly support members of the Armed Forces and their families, and begin to transform our Armed Forces to meet the military requirements of the 21st century.

The Act provides important improvements in the quality of life for the members of our Armed Forces, who have dedicated their lives to the defense of their fellow citizens. It provides for a substantial and well-deserved increase in basic pay, improved educational opportunities as an incentive to reenlist, and more resources to improve military housing. The legislation also addresses important needs of military families, such as improved job training and education opportunities for military spouses and access for home-schooled children of military families to facilities and programs of Department of Defense dependent schools.

The Act will assist greatly in the rebuilding and reshaping of the Armed Forces to meet future challenges. In particular, it provides procurement authority for programs crucial to the projection of American military power in support of U.S. interests abroad, such as carrier-based strike aircraft, air superiority fighter aircraft, large-capacity cargo aircraft, and a fast attack submarine. The Act also authorizes funds to move forward with our program for an effective defense against ballistic missiles.

The legislation reflects my Administration's important initiative to establish a process for realignment and closure of unneeded military facilities. Such realignments and closures will allow the Government to use more effectively the taxpayer sources devoted to the national defense. As the Act requires, military value will be the primary consideration in recommending realignments and closures. Regrettably, the Act defers the start of the base closure and realignment process for several years, rather than providing for its immediate commencement to permit efficient restructuring promptly.

Section 1116 of the Act authorizes Federal agency employees to retain and make personal use of promotional items such as frequent flyer miles, upgrades, or access to carrier clubs or facilities received as a result of certain official travel. Agency regulations will ensure that, in connection with imple-mentation of section 1116, employees fully observe applicable principles of ethics in Government and regulations that prevent unneeded or inefficient official travel.

The Act contains several provisions intended to improve the ability of members of the Armed Forces to exercise one of the most important rights that any citizen has -- the right to vote. Section 1605 of the Act requires State Governors, in certain circumstances, to provide reports to the Secretary of Defense concerning the Secretary's recommendations on State voting laws, including what recommendations the Governor has made or will make to the State legislature on the Secretary's recommendations. Section 1605 shall be implemented in a manner consistent with proper regard for the role of the States, and their legislatures and Governors, in our Federal system.

Several provisions of the Act, including sections 525(c), 546, 705, and 3152 call for executive branch officials to submit to the Congress proposals for legislation. These provisions shall be implemented in a manner consistent with the President's constitutional authority to supervise the unitary executive branch and to recommend to the Congress such measures as the President judges necessary and expedient.

Section 1404 vests in the Secretary of Defense authority to appoint a chief operating officer for the Armed Forces Retirement Home, but purports to limit the qualifications of the pool of persons from whom the Secretary may select the appointee in a manner that rules out a large portion of those persons best qualified by experience and knowledge to fill the office. The Secretary shall implement section 1404 in a manner consistent with the Appointments Clause of the Constitution.

Under section 1002 of the Act, the Congress has stated that it incorporates a classified annex into the statute. That annex contains authorizations of appropriations for specified classified programs. My Administration discourages enactment of secret law as part of annual defense authorization acts and instead encourages appropriate use of classified annexes to committee reports and the joint statement of managers that accompanies the final legislation.

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

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
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[no PDF file available from GPO]

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

President Signs Intelligence Authorization Act
Statement by the President
[2001-24] --  37 WCPD 1834 (Dec. 31, 2001)
 

Today, I have signed into law H.R. 2883, the "Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002." The Act authorizes appropriations to fund United States intelligence activities, including activities essential to success in the war against global terrorism. Regrettably, one provision of the Act falls short of the standards of comity and flexibility that should govern the relationship between the executive and legislative branches on sensitive intelligence matters and, in some circumstances, would fall short of constitutional standards.

Section 305 of the Act amends section 502 of the National Security Act of 1947, which relates to executive branch reports to the Congress under the intelligence oversight provisions of the National Security Act. Section 305 purports to require that reports submitted to the congressional intelligence committees by the executive branch on significant anticipated intelligence activities or significant intelligence failures always be in written form, with a concise statement of facts pertinent to the report and an explanation of the significance of the activity or failure.

Section 502 of the National Security Act as amended by section 305 of the Act shall be construed for all purposes, specifically including for the purpose of the establishment of standards and procedures under section 502(c) of the National Security Act by the Director of Central Intelligence, in a manner consistent with the President's constitutional authority to withhold information the disclosure of which could impair foreign relations, the national security, the deliberative processes of the Executive, or the performance of the Executive's constitutional duties. Section 502 shall also be construed in a manner consistent with the statutory responsibility of the Director of Central Intelligence to protect intelligence sources and methods and other exceptionally sensitive matters.

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

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[plain text at GPO]
[no PDF file available from GPO]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 10, 2002

Defense Bill Signing Statement
Statement by the President
[2002-01] --  38 WCPD 46 (January 14, 2002)
 

Today I have signed into law H.R. 3338, the "Department of Defense and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States Act, 2002," which provides $317.2 billion for national security programs administered by the Department of Defense.

It also provides $20 billion in emergency supplemental funding for the consequences of the September 11th attacks, including $3.5 billion for the Department of Defense that is urgently needed to prosecute the war on terrorism.

The Act provides appropriations for the Nation's defense and supplemental appropriations for many agencies for recovery from and response to terrorist attacks on the United States.

In particular, the Act provides the resources needed to continue the war against global terrorism, pursue an effective missile defense, properly support members of the Armed Forces and their families, and begin to transform our Armed Forces to meet the military requirements of the 21st century.

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act. It abides by the agreed-upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion and the agreed-upon level enacted in Public Law 107-38, the "2001 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery from and Response to the Terrorists Attacks on the United States" that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Public Law 107-38 -- legislation crafted and enacted with strong bipartisan cooperation -- provided a total of $40 billion in emergency funding to the Emergency Response Fund.

The $40 billion in emergency expenses was provided to assist victims of the attacks and to deal with other consequences of the attacks, including the costs of: (1) providing Federal, State, and local preparedness for mitigating and responding to the attacks; (2) providing support to counter, investigate, or prosecute domestic or international terrorism; (3) providing increased transportation security; (4) repairing public facilities and transportation systems damaged by the attacks; and (5) supporting national security. As required by Public Law 107-38, I designated the entire $40 billion as an emergency funding requirement. To date, my Administration has transferred $19.7 billion of the first $20 billion, which was made available to agencies, without requiring any further congressional action, to address the immediate needs and consequences of the attacks.

The second $20 billion provided in this Act will continue those efforts. The funds in this Act include: $3.5 billion for Department of Defense operations; $8.2 billion for New York, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania, to help those areas recover from the terrorist attacks; and $8.4 billion for homeland security activities.

I am proud that we worked together with such bipartisan spirit in the weeks following the despicable attacks on our Nation. My Administration will work together with the Congress to address additional needs as they become known during the second session of the 107th Congress.

The Act funds the vast majority of my request for critical pay raises and other quality of life programs. It supports my commitment to improving the quality of life of our military personnel and their families by including pay raises of 5 to 15 percent.

The Act also funds many of my modernization priorities, including conversion of Trident submarines to sub-marines that can carry cruise missiles.

However, because it provides approximately $2 billion less than requested, the Act does not adequately fund all my critical priorities, specifically the readiness of our forces. The $2 billion reduction is largely achieved by cuts to operation and maintenance programs.

While a small portion of that reduction is offset in dollar terms by congressional increases, those increases are for programs of a much lower priority. As a result, these cuts will place our military forces in the all too familiar predicament of having to choose either to sacrifice near-term readiness or to forego critical repair of family housing, defer important depot maintenance of our weapon systems, and reduce base operations.

Section 8007 of the Act prohibits use of funds to initiate a special access program until 30 calendar days of congressional session have elapsed after the executive branch has notified the congressional defense committees of initiation of the program.

The U.S. Supreme Court has stated that the President's authority to classify and control access to information bearing on national security flows from the Constitution and does not depend upon a legislative grant of authority.

Although 30-day advance notice can be provided in most situations as a matter of comity, situations may arise, especially in wartime, in which the President must promptly establish special access controls on classified national security information under his constitutional grants of the executive power and authority as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

The executive branch shall construe section 8007 in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the President.

Section 8072 of the Act provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds available to the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2002 may be used to transfer defense articles or services, other than intelligence services, to another nation or international organization for international peacekeeping, peace-enforcement, or humanitarian assistance operations, until 15 days after the executive branch notifies six committees of Congress of the planned transfer.

The provision does not affect transfers using funds available to the Department of Defense if the recipient is other than a nation or an international organization or if the transfer is of intelligence services, such as provision of or accommodation procurements for imagery intelligence, geospatial information, or cryptological support.

The provision also does not affect transfers of defense articles or services using funds contained in the Act that are available to the Central Intelligence Agency rather than the Department of Defense.

To the extent that protection of the U.S. Armed Forces deployed for international peacekeeping, peace-enforcement, or humanitarian assistance operations might require action of a kind covered by section 8072 sooner than 15 days after notification, section 8072 shall be construed in a manner consistent with my constitutional duty as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

Provisos in section 8098 of the Act purport to limit during fiscal year 2002 the number of Department of Defense military and civilian personnel assigned to legislative affairs or legislative liaison functions and to mandate the percentage distribution of such personnel among various offices of the Department. In particular, section 8098 cannot constitutionally restrict the authority of the President to control the activities of members of the armed forces, including whether and how many members of the Armed Forces assigned to the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the combatant commands, or any other element of the Department of Defense shall perform legislative affairs or legislative liaison functions.

Section 8173 prohibits the use of appropriated funds for assistance or other support to the International Criminal Court (ICC). While section 8173 clearly reflects that the Congress agrees with my Administration that it is not in the interests of the United States to become a party to the ICC treaty, I must note that this provision must be applied consistent with my constitutional authority in the area of foreign affairs, which, among other things, will enable me to take actions to protect U.S. nationals from the purported jurisdiction of the treaty.

Sections 911 and 912 in Division B of the Act provide for assistance by executive departments and agencies, including the Armed Forces, to the U.S. Capitol Police in the performance of its duties.

Safeguarding the Congress and its ability to carry out its constitutional role is vital to the continuity of our constitutional Government, and the executive branch will assist as needed and appropriate. In carrying out these sections, it is important to ensure proper respect for the separate constitutional roles and authorities of the executive and legislative branches.

With the aim of ensuring that respect within the executive branch, the Attorney General shall serve as the single point of contact within the executive branch for requests from the legislative branch, including the U.S. Capitol Police, for assistance under sections 911 and 912, and the District of Columbia National Guard and Federal law enforcement authorities shall enter into an agreement under section 912 only with the prior approval of the Attorney General.

Section 208 of Division B makes a technical correction to subsection 626(c) of Public Law 107-77 (the FY 2002 Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act), but does nothing to alter the effect of that provision or any other provision of law.

Since the enactment of sub-section 626(c) and consistent with it, the executive branch has encouraged the courts to act, and will continue to encourage the courts to act, in a manner consistent with the obligations of the United States under the Algiers Accords that achieved the release of U.S. hostages in 1981.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 10, 2002.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 10, 2002

President Signs Foreign Operations Appropriations Act
Statement by the President
[2002-02] --  38 WCPD 49 (Jan. 14, 2002)
 

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2506, the "Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2002." The Act provides the funds needed to support U.S. foreign policy objectives abroad and reflects the restraint on spending that has been a key goal of my Administration.

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act. It abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion. The Act will provide $15.4 billion, largely along the lines of my request, and includes essential funding to support America's war on terrorism. The Act supports such key Administration initiatives as the campaign against HIV/AIDS, with up to $100 million available for the global fund to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis and an additional $100 million is also provided by the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

I also welcome the additional flexibility that the Act provides through the reduction in earmarks and added waiver authorities, including the changes to the annual counternarcotics certification process and the waiver provision allowing me the flexibility to provide additional assistance to Azerbaijan. This flexibility will allow my Administration to meet the diplomatic requirements stemming from the September 11th attacks, as well as to continue to address the ever-changing foreign policy challenges we face.

The Act does not interfere with our policies regarding bilateral international family planning assistance, and ensures that U.S. funds are not made available to organizations supporting or participating in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. The Act provides additional discretion to determine the appropriate level of funding for the United Nations Population Fund.

Several provisions of the Act purport to direct or burden the conduct of negotiations by the executive branch with foreign governments, international organizations, or other entities abroad, or otherwise interfere with the President's constitutional authority to conduct the Nation's foreign affairs. These include sections 514, 560, and 581(a), and the appropriations heading related to the International Development Association, which purport to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to require the U.S. representatives to take particular positions for the United States in international organizations or require the Secretary to accord priority to a particular objective in negotiations with such an organization. Another such provision is section 567(b), which purports to direct the Secretary of State to consult certain international organizations in determining the state of events abroad. These provisions shall be construed consistent with my constitutional authorities to conduct foreign affairs, participate in international negotiations, and supervise the executive branch.

Section 573 of the Act calls for the Department of State to provide regular and detailed briefings to congressional committees on any discussions between the executive branch and a particular government abroad on any potential purchase of defense articles or defense services by that government. This provision shall be construed as advisory only, given the constitutional powers of the President to supervise the executive branch and to conduct the Nation's foreign affairs, which includes the authority to determine what information about international negotiations may, in the public interest, be made available to the Congress and when such disclosure should occur. The Secretary of State will, however, as a matter of comity between the executive and legislative branches, keep the Congress appropriately informed of the matters addressed by section 573.

Finally, section 577 requires that the President direct executive agencies possessing information relevant to specified deaths abroad to declassify and release that information. I will direct the Attorney General to coordinate the implementation of this section within the executive branch, so as to produce the requested information in a manner consistent with my constitutional and statutory responsibilities to protect various kinds of sensitive information.

Many provisions of the Act make funds available for particular purposes subject to, in accordance with, or under "the regular notification procedures of the Committee on Appropriations." The executive branch shall construe the reference to the "regular notification procedures" to be a reference to the procedures in section 515 of the Act.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 10, 2002.


►[This signing statement is also found at:]
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 10, 2002

President Signs Labor, Health & Human Services, Education Appropriations
Statement by the President
[2002-03] --  38 WCPD 50 (Jan. 14, 2002)
 

Today I have signed into law H.R. 3061, the "Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002." The legislation provides funding for key domestic programs, including the important education initiatives that have been a top priority of my Administration.

I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this Act. The bill abides by the agreed-upon aggregate funding level for Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion and supports several of my Administration's key initiatives with:

• $10.4 billion for title I grants to close the achievement gap
   
• between rich and poor students;
   
• $1 billion for Reading First and Early Reading First to help schools meet the goal of ensuring that all students can read fluently by third grade;
   
• $2.9 billion for State grants for improving teacher quality;
   
• $7.5 billion for State Grants for Special Education, an increase of $1.2 billion over FY 2001;
   
• $23.2 billion for the National Institutes of Health to support biomedical research to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability;
   
• full funding for the Consolidated Health Centers to provide quality health care to millions of uninsured and underserved Americans;
   
• additional resources for Drug Abuse Treatment services to help narrow the treatment gap between those in need of treatment and those with access to it; and
   
• full funding for Global HIV/AIDS activities to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS in developing countries, including a further U.S. contribution to the global trust fund to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

While I am supportive of the overall bill, I have strong concerns that this bill creates a serious fiscal problem for 2002 by underfunding the Pell Grant program, which provides critical financial assistance to low-income students seeking higher education. The bill mandates a Pell Grant maximum award of $4,000, but provides only enough funding to pay for a maximum award of $3,600, creating a shortfall of nearly $1.3 billion. The Congress disregarded my requests to provide resources for the Pell Grant program commensurate with the maximum award. My Administration will ask the Congress to correct this shortfall in the FY 2003 Budget. I am committed to maintaining a strong Pell Grant program that ensures qualified students have access to college, and budgeting responsibly for its full costs.

I am pleased that the final version of the bill retains the prohibition against research in which human embryos are destroyed, and reinforces my determination on August 9, 2001, to support federally funded stem cell research in an ethical manner.

I am also pleased that the final version of the bill retains current law regarding funding for needle exchange programs.

The first proviso of section 207 of the Act purports to make certain transfers between appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services subject to approval by the congressional appropriations committees. Under the principles enunciated by the U.S. Supreme Court in INS v. Chadha, the Congress cannot by law make transfers of appropriations subject to the approval of committees of the Congress. At the same time, the intention of the Congress that the executive branch have flexibility to transfer funds among appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services is plain from the language of the Act. Accordingly, the executive branch shall treat the portion of the proviso of section 207 that purports to provide for congressional committee approval of transfers as having no force and severable from the remainder of the proviso of section 207 and the Act.

Also, section 217, addressing the Acting Director of NIH, and section 622, amending the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997, shall be implemented in a manner consistent with the Appointments Clause of the Constitution.

Several provisions of the Act purport to make funding available for particular projects "in the amounts specified in the statement of the managers on the conference report accompanying this Act." Although specifications of projects and amounts in a statement of managers cannot satisfy the constitutional requirements of bicameral approval and presentment to the President needed to give them the force of law, my Administration will treat these specifications in a manner reflecting the comity between the executive and legislative branches on such matters.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 10, 2002.

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 16, 2002

President Signs Investor & Capital Markets Fee Relief Act
Statement by the President
[2002-04] --  38 WCPD 77 (Jan. 21, 2002)

"Today I Signed Into Law H.R. 1088, the Investor and Capital Markets Fee Relief Act. This legislation will provide fee relief to the growing number of Americans who have invested in stocks and bonds to save for their retirements, their children's education, and other needs.  

This legislation will relieve the fifty percent of American households that now own stock, either directly or in pension or mutual funds, from the burden of these fees, while ensuring that the SEC has sufficient funding to continue to carry out its important mission of protecting investors through vigorous enforcement of securities laws.

I applaud the Congress for acting in an overwhelming bipartisan manner in sending this legislation to my desk."

►[This signing statement is also found at:]
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 27, 2002

President Signs Campaign Finance Reform Act
Statement by the President
[2002-05] --  38 WCPD 517 (April 1, 2002)
 

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2356, the "Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002." I believe that this legislation, although far from perfect, will improve the current financing system for Federal campaigns.

The bill reforms our system of financing campaigns in several important ways. First, it will prevent unions and corporations from making unregulated, "soft" money contri-butions -- a legislative step for which I repeatedly have called.

Often, these groups take political action without the consent of their members or shareholders, so that the influence of these groups on elections does not necessarily comport with the actual views of the individuals who comprise these organizations. This prohibition will help to right that imbalance.

Second, this law will raise the decades-old limits on giving imposed on individuals who wish to support the candidate of their choice, thereby advancing my stated principle that election reform should strengthen the role of individual citizens in the political process.

Third, this legislation creates new disclosure requirements and compels speedier compliance with existing ones, which will promote the free and swift flow of information to the public regarding the activities of groups and individuals in the political process.

I long have believed that complete and immediate disclosure of the source of campaign contributions is the best way to reform campaign finance.

These provisions of the bill will go a long way toward fixing some of the most pressing problems in campaign finance today. They will result in an election finance system that encourages greater individual participation, and provides the public more accurate and timely information, than does the present system. All of the American electorate will benefit from these measures to strengthen our democracy.

However, the bill does have flaws. Certain provisions present serious constitutional concerns. In particular, H.R. 2356 goes farther than I originally proposed by preventing all individuals, not just unions and corporations, from making donations to political parties in connection with Federal elections.

I believe individual freedom to participate in elections should be expanded, not diminished; and when individual freedoms are restricted, questions arise under the First Amendment.

I also have reservations about the constitutionality of the broad ban on issue advertising, which restrains the speech of a wide variety of groups on issues of public import in the months closest to an election. I expect that the courts will resolve these legitimate legal questions as appropriate under the law.

As a policy matter, I would have preferred a bill that included a provision to protect union members and shareholders from involuntary political activities undertaken by their leadership.

Individuals have a right not to have their money spent in support of candidates or causes with which they disagree, and those rights should be better protected by law. I hope that in the future the Congress and I can work together to remedy this defect of the current financing structure.

This legislation is the culmination of more than 6 years of debate among a vast array of legislators, citizens, and groups. Accordingly, it does not represent the full ideals of any one point of view.

But it does represent progress in this often-contentious area of public policy debate. Taken as a whole, this bill improves the current system of financing for Federal campaigns, and therefore I have signed it into law.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 27, 2002.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 13, 2002

Statement by the President
[2002-06] --  38 WCPD 810 (May 20, 2002)
 

I am today signing into law H.R. 2646, the "Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002." This Act will provide a safety net for America's farmers, who feed America and much of the world. The Act also will expand nutrition programs and improve the conservation and effective use of our natural resources.

A few provisions of the Act raise constitutional concerns.

The method of appointment of the board of trustees of the fellowship program prescribed in section 4404 of the Act is inconsistent with the requirements of the Appointments Clause of the Constitution. I am prepared to work with the Congress to enact legislation to cure this constitutional defect before the effective date of the program.

Sections 6027 and 6028 of the Act establish and continue multi-member regional authorities to implement development programs. Serious doubts arise concerning the constitutionality of these regional authorities because the members are likely Federal officers for purposes of the Appointments Clause, but many of the members are not appointed in the manner required by that Clause. Again, I am prepared to work with the Congress to enact legislation that will cure this constitutional shortcoming by establishing the role of the members as advisory only, or by providing for appointment of all the members in accordance with the Appointments Clause.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 13, 2002.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 15, 2002

Statement by the President
[2002-07] --  38 WCPD 822 (May 20, 2002)
 

I have today signed into law H.R. 3525, the "Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002." The legislation strengthens the ability of the U.S. Government to control the country's borders, a top priority of my Administration. The Act will improve our ability to screen aliens seeking to enter our country, facilitate the sharing of border-related information among U.S. agencies, and improve efforts to keep track of foreign students and foreign exchange visitors in the United States.

Section 2(4)(G) of the Act defines as a Federal law enforcement agency the "Coastal Security Service." Because no such agency exists, and the principal agency with coastal security functions is the U.S. Coast Guard, the executive branch shall construe this provision as referring to the Coast Guard.

Several sections of the Act raise constitutional concerns.

Sections 2(6), 201(c)(2), and 202(a)(3) purport to require the President to act through a specified assistant to the President or in coordination or consultation with specified officers of the United States, agencies, or congressional committees. The President's constitutional authority to supervise the unitary executive branch and take care that the laws be faithfully executed cannot be made by law subject to requirements to exercise those constitutional authorities through a particular member of the President's staff or in coordination or consultation with specified officers or elements of the Government. Accordingly, the executive branch shall treat the purported requirements as precatory.

Section 203 requires the President, in appointing the nine members of the Commission on Interoperable Data Sharing, to appoint eight of them from a list of nominees provided by the congressional leadership acting jointly. Laws that provide for appointment in the Government of individuals to exercise significant governmental authority must provide for such appointment by one of the means specified in the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, which includes appointment by the President with Senate consent or by the President alone, but does not include appointment by the President from a pool of persons selected by the congressional leadership. Accordingly, to give effect to section 203 insofar as is constitutionally permissible, the executive branch shall construe the Commission's functions as advisory only. Also, the executive branch shall construe the Commission's responsibility to make recommendations to the Congress in a manner consistent with the President's constitutional authority to submit for congres-sional consideration such measures as the President shall judge necessary and expedient.

The executive branch shall construe section 404(a), relating to U.S.-Canadian joint border inspection operations under an international agreement, in a manner consistent with the President's constitutional authority to conduct the foreign affairs of the Nation and to supervise the unitary executive branch.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 14, 2002.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 14, 2002

President Signs Export-Import Bank Act
[2002-08] --  38 WCPD 1014 (June 17, 2002)
 

I have today signed into law S. 1372, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2002. This legislation will ensure the continued effective operation of the Export-Import Bank, which helps advance U.S. trade policy, facilitate the sale of U.S. goods and services abroad, and create jobs here at home.

The executive branch shall carry out section 7(b) of the bill, which relates to certain small businesses, in a manner consistent with the requirements of equal protection under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.

Subsections 10(a) and 10(b)(2) of the bill purport to require the Secretary of the Treasury to negotiate with foreign countries and international organizations to achieve particular purposes and to require the Secretary to submit a report to congressional committees on the contents of negotiations and certain related executive deliberations. These provisions interfere with the President's constitutional authority to conduct the Nation's foreign affairs, supervise the unitary executive branch, and withhold information the disclosure of which could impair foreign relations, the national security, the deliberative processes of the executive, or the performance of the executive's constitutional duties. Accordingly, the executive branch shall construe these provisions as precatory rather than mandatory.

The executive branch shall construe the reference to the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948," added to section 2(b)(1)(B) of the Export-Import Bank Act by section 15 of the bill, as only providing examples of types of human rights that the President may wish to consider in making a determination under section 2(b)(1)(B) and not as giving the Universal Declaration the force of U.S. law.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
June 14, 2002.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 25, 2002

Statement by the President
Enactment of Implementing Legislation for International Terrorism Conventions
[2002-09] --  38 WCPD 1093 (July 1, 2002)
 

Earlier today I signed into law the implementing legislation for two very important United Nations international conventions against terrorism: the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings and the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. I thank the Congress, especially the Judiciary committees, for its hard work in passing this legislation, which will strengthen our campaign against global terrorism. The Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification of these Conventions last December. Now that this legislation has been enacted, the United States will deposit its instruments of ratification at the United Nations and become a party to these two Conventions.

These two Conventions strengthen international efforts to defeat terrorism of global reach. They underscore -- along with ten other international terrorism conventions -- the broad moral consensus that violence against innocent civilians is a criminal act and must be punished. These Conventions also require parties to them to take practical steps to bring terrorists and their supporters to justice. The Terrorist Bombings Convention creates a new and important mechanism for nations to cooperate in investigating and prosecuting terrorist crimes. The International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism strengthens our continuing efforts to cut off the flow of funds to terrorist groups.

In Canada this week, I will be discussing with leaders from other industrialized nations ways we can ensure that all countries take stronger legal measures against terrorism. In particular, I urge all countries to join us in becoming party to these Conventions and fully adhering to U.N. Security Council Resolutions to stop terrorism, particularly U.N. Security Council Resolution 1373, which denies safe haven to terrorists and prohibits terrorist financing, recruitment, and access to weapons and other support. I will continue to work with other leaders around the world to build a consensus that terrorism, whatever the excuse, is unacceptable. Working together, America and the other freedom-loving nations of the world are moving towards a day when our children can live free from the fear of terrorism and free to achieve their dreams.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 28, 2002

Statement by the President
[2002-10] --  38 WCPD 1112 (July 8, 2002)
 

I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 327, the "Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002." This legislation will help achieve an important objective of my Administration to reduce the cost and burden on small businesses of government paperwork and increase the resources available to small businesses to create jobs and economic growth.

Section 3 of the bill creates a new section 3520 in title 44 of the United States Code to create an interagency task force on information collection and dissemination to help the heads of departments and agencies reduce the government burden on small businesses. Section 3520 purports to require task force publication of differences in views among executive officers and transmittal of recommendations to congressional committees. The executive branch shall construe section 3520 in a manner consistent with the President's constitutional authority to supervise the unitary executive branch, to protect the confidentiality of executive deliberations, and to recommend to the consideration of the Congress such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
June 28, 2002.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 30, 2002

Statement by the President
[2002-11] --  38 WCPD 1286 (August 5, 2002)
 

Today I have signed into law H.R. 3763, "An Act to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures made pursuant to the securities laws, and for other purposes." The Act adopts tough new provisions to deter and punish corporate and accounting fraud and corruption, ensure justice for wrongdoers, and protect the interests of workers and shareholders.

Several provisions of the Act require careful construction by the executive branch as it faithfully executes the Act.

The legislative purpose of sections 302, 401, and 906 of the Act, relating to certification and accuracy of reports, is to strengthen the existing corporate reporting system under section 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, the executive branch shall construe this Act as not affecting the authority relating to national security set forth in section 13(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

To ensure that no infringement on the constitutional right to petition the Government for redress of grievances occurs in the enforcement of section 1512(c) of title 18 of the U.S. Code, enacted by section 1102 of the Act, which among other things prohibits corruptly influencing any official proceeding, the executive branch shall construe the term "corruptly" in section 1512(c)(2) as requiring proof of a criminal state of mind on the part of the defendant.

Given that the legislative purpose of section 1514A of title 18 of the U.S. Code, enacted by section 806 of the Act, is to protect against company retaliation for lawful cooperation with investigations and not to define the scope of investigative authority or to grant new investigative authority, the executive branch shall construe section 1514A(a)(1)(B) as referring to investigations authorized by the rules of the Senate or the House of Representatives and conducted for a proper legislative purpose.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
July 30, 2002.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 23, 2002

Statement by the President
[2002-12] --  38 WCPD 1427 (September 2, 2002)
 

I have signed into law H.R. 2068, a bill "to revise, codify, and enact without substantive change certain general and permanent laws, related to public buildings, property, and works, as title 40, United States Code, 'Public Buildings, Property, and Works'." This measure is the latest in a series that is intended to enact all titles of the United States Code into positive law.

In approving this bill, I note that section 312(b)(2), concerning cert in transfers of funds for equipment purchases, and section 3305(a)(3), concerning the use of land as a site for a public building, state that the executive branch may take action only after receiving the approval of certain committees of Congress. The constitutional requirement of bicameralism and presentment is infringed whenever a single house, committee, or agent of Congress attempts to direct the execution of the laws or to promulgate rules or standards intended to bind the actions of executive or administrative officials that have not been approved by both houses and presented to the President. INS v. Chadha, 462 U.S. 919, 958 59 (1983). The executive branch will therefore interpret these and similar provisions to require advance notification only, since any other interpretation would contradict the Supreme Court's ruling in INS v. Chadha.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 23, 2002.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 18, 2002

Statement by the President
[2002-13] --  38 WCPD 1576 (September 23, 2002)
 

Today I have signed into law H.R. 5012, an Act to amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act, authorizing a construction project to improve, among other things, pedestrian, vehicular, and bicycle access to the Kennedy Center.

As added by H.R. 5012, however, section 12(b)(5) purports to make the Secretary of Transportation's