There was a story that popped up on the Raw Story feed, with excerpts from a paid-restricted site (Roll Call):
The Michigan lawmaker said the investigation would include both Democratic and Republican staff and will focus on the approximately 150 signing statements issued by Bush, which the American Bar Association estimates have affected more than 1,100 provisions of federal law.
House Democrats have criticized the use of such statements, arguing that they not only undermine the separation of powers of the legislative and executive branches but also threaten legislative authority.
“All too often, the administration has engaged in these practices under a veil of secrecy. This is a constitutional issue that no self-respecting federal legislature should tolerate,” Conyers said.
I’ve been following the whole ‘signing statement’ issue for a while now; I’ve posted a few things about it on the FearBush site.
If you haven’t been following this, here are some good links to get you up to speed:
- Bush challenges hundreds of laws
- Bar group will review Bush’s legal challenges
- Bush Ignores Laws He Inks, Vexing Congress
- Full index of Bush’s signing statements
Just a reminder; Bush did, in fact, recite the oath of office with his hand on the Bible at his grand inaguration:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Right.
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