Bush Adds Unconstitutional Signing Statement to Defense Bill

After pressuring Congress to change the original version of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act President Bush added a “signing statement” to his signature of the bill which according to his legal team allows him to ignore key parts of the law.

Here are a few things Bush has decided he does not want to follow.

1. Setting up a a commission to probe contracting fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan.
2. Expanding protections for whistleblowers who work for government contractors.
3. Require U.S. intelligence agencies to promptly respond to congressional requests for documents.
4. Bar funding for permanent bases in Iraq and for any action that exercises U.S. control over Iraq’s oil money.

As a further outrage, he has added a “Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship” between Iraq and the United States.

This is most likely unconstitutional since it was enacted without the agreement of the legislation branch and the President cannot enter into treaties without approval of Congress.

Looks like Bush is really trying to do the most outrageously illegal things he can in his last year at the White House. His next residence should be a prison, but unfortunately it will probably be here in Dallas. Oh joy!