Biden Issues "Final" Certification Under JFK Act

[Lawrence Schnapf]

@W. Niederhut the practice of signing statements began in earnest with President Carter though Reagan expanded it under the guidance Ed Meese. Bush continued this practice and it has been followed to varying degrees by subsequent presidents. so this administrative animal has lots of mothers including your tar baby Barr.   

[Pat Speer]

17 minutes ago, Roger Odisio said:

Here is a summary from the Library of Congress of the meaning of Presidential signing statements:

Unlike vetoes, signing statements are not part of the legislative process as set forth in the Constitution, and have no legal effect. A signed law is still a law regardless of what the President says in an accompanying signing statement. In 1972, after President Nixon in a signing statement indicated that a provision in a bill submitted to him did not "represent the policies of this Administration" and was "without binding force or effect," a federal district court held that no executive statement, even by a President, "denying efficacy to the legislation could have either validity or effect." DaCosta v. Nixon External, 55 F.R.D. 145, 146 (E.D.N.Y. 1972).

Yes, but government agencies are usually scared of upsetting the President and treat his "statement" as law, when it is actually not law, and is frequently at odds with the law. 

Once upon a time, the President would send a law back to be tweaked if he disagreed with parts of it. Now Presidents just sign it, and add a statement saying they are gonna do whatever they want. 

Yet another example of an out-of-control executive branch. 

 

Edited July 1, 2023 by Pat Speer