The mystery is revealed. The reason President Bush has only used his veto pen once in six years is simply that he found a more effective way around inconvenient legislation. The technical term for the maneuver is a “signing statement” and it is the legal equivalent of a Post-it Note from the boss. The American Bar Association has decided to cry foul and the pack of progressive hyenas are yelping with blood lust.
PRESIDENT BUSH'S SIGNING STATEMENTS: The task force determined that signing statements that signal the president’s intent to disregard laws adopted by Congress undermine the separation of powers by depriving Congress of the opportunity to override a veto, and by shutting off policy debate between the two branches of government. According to the task force, they operate as a “line item veto,” which the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional.
CBS legal analyst Andrew Cohen describes the issues in a straightforward manner, although he just can't refrain from putting in an anti-Bush slam at the end.
Signing Statements: Virtues And Vices: A signing statement is a written declaration composed by White House lawyers offering the executive branch's perspective (critics would call it "spin") on the legislation to which it is attached. It's as if the President says to Congress with every signing statement: "You have passed this law, and I have signed it, but the White House does not necessarily agree with its purpose, language or scope. Therefore, we reserve the right to subsequently assert a legal position, or otherwise act, in a manner that is inconsistent with this new law."
The law goes into effect as written by Congress, but employees of the Administration know exactly what the boss thinks about the matter. The process is perfectly legal, but Bush has utilized it more than all other previous administrations combined and the lawyers and congressmen are freaking out and demanding rules changes. Once again, poor dumb Bush has figured out a way to fight a hot war against wealthy and well armed enemies of the United States, while deflecting the constant interference of domestic resistance to the success of his efforts.
