# New GAO report on Bush signing statements

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-gao-report-on-bush-signing-statements/408599>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [June 19, 2007, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-gao-report-on-bush-signing-statements/408599 "2007-06-19T16:05:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-gao-report-on-bush-signing-statements/408599/1 "2007-06-19T16:05:55Z")

</div>

[http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/19/signing.statements.ap/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/19/signing.statements.ap/index.html)

Sign the bill into law, or veto it. But don’t try to have it both ways by issuing signing statements that go directly against legislative intent and the substance of the bill, OK, Mr. President?

Will he _ever_ stop?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-gao-report-on-bush-signing-statements/408599/2 "2007-06-19T16:18:59Z")

</div>

[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir]  
Will he _ever_ stop?  
[/QUOTE]

Of course not. As your article notes, the practice dates back to the mid 19th century. It’s not something Bush created, and it’s not something that will end with his presidency. Bush’s actions in this matter may vary in degree from his predecessors, but they don’t vary in kind.

Besides, your really have only two choices here, since he’s going to do what he wants anyway. Isn’t it at least better that he gives us a heads up as to what he plans to do than that he just off and does it without telling anyone?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-gao-report-on-bush-signing-statements/408599/3 "2007-06-19T16:28:20Z")

</div>

[QUOTE=John Mace]  
Besides, your really have only two choices here, since he’s going to do what he wants anyway. Isn’t it at least better that he gives us a heads up as to what he plans to do than that he just off and does it without telling anyone?  
[/QUOTE]

Sometimes he does the one, sometimes the other. So far, it does not seem to make much practical difference.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-gao-report-on-bush-signing-statements/408599/4 "2007-06-19T19:08:01Z")

</div>

The _Boston Globe,_ covering the same story, notes that according to the GAO report, [federal agencies have disobeyed at least six laws Bush challenged via “signing statements,” deeming those laws “advisory” under the circumstances.](http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/06/19/us_agencies_disobey_6_laws_that_president_challenged/)