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Can someone explain the purpose of a "signing statement" which says something besides what's in the law?
Like for example signing the Postal Reform Act and saying, Oh, by the way, in some circumstances we might decide to open up your first-class mail without a warrant, even though that's illegal and no laws have actually been changed to allow it.
Whenever Bush does one of his Signing Statements, it has the effect of saying "We might choose not to follow this or that law at some point in the future, if we feel like it." Which doesn't actually convey any information - he's not saying he's changed the law, he's not saying he is for sure going to break the law. He's just saying that he COULD break the law if he wanted to. So Americans really have no idea which laws are enforceable until the President decides, for sure, whether or not he likes them.
If he's going to break the law, he can face impeachment like everyone else. Otherwise, why the hell is he bothering to open his mouth?
5 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
In Bush's case, it means that he thinks he is above the law and constitution.
- Third UncleLv 51 decade ago
From what I understand, when the President does this he is circumventing the law. Bush has done this an estimated 750 times, which is the most for any President. And one has to wonder why? When he does this, he is contradicting what he just signed into law.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
You answered your own question.
Yes, presidents can issue a signing statement when they sign a bill into law. They can essentially create a law without any due process.
Congress CAN override it - but its very difficult.
- dstrLv 61 decade ago
Bush, by doing so is protecting him self from disobeying what he just signed...ironic?....No criminal.
Bush has signed more of the excuses to ignore the law ...THEN ALL PAST PRESIDENTS COMBINED
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- CaptainObviousLv 71 decade ago
you mean like all the executive privilege acts Clinton signed that have since been found unconstitutional? This type of thing has been going on since the founding of the office of the presidency. If you think just Bush and nobody else uses the office of the presidency and the rules that are set forth for them to do their work you are mistaken.
Source(s): since you probably wont do your homework and look up what Im talking about. http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a392d4e702706.ht... http://www.mail-archive.com/law-issues@mylist.net/...
