Using signing statements to change all or part of the legislation the Congress passes on to the President to veto or sign into law is a violation of the President’s oath of office.

The President, if he believes the legislation is a violation of our Constitution, must veto it and send it back to congress to be re-written. If he agrees with the bill he can pass it into law. He cannot rewrite the bill, change all or parts of it with a signing statement and then pass it into law, as this president has done 807 times. Congress does not even know what the law contains after this process, because this administration will not release its signing statements. Congress can override a veto. It cannot override a signing statement. The President has refused to let subordinates report on what is in the signing statements.

These signing statements must be released to congress and the American public, on the web and through the media. The American Bar Association said “The magnitude of this problem is just coming to light.” Congress must now pass legislation to provide a law to seek judicial review, not next month or next year, but now! By not releasing the signing statements, the President has taken for himself all three branches of government.

The President recently signed the Detainee’s Treatment Act with great flourish and media attention. He then added a signing statement that he would not obey it. The PATRIOT Act signing statement information is not forthcoming.

Maureen Conboy
Rice Lake, Wisconsin