Presidential Signing Statements

I don't know if I've written about this before, but it's definitely something I've been concerned about for a while.

President Bush has used executive signing statements more than all the other Presidents combined, and has used it in essence to rewrite portions of the law that Congress has passed. His latest, has caught the attention of many for it's similiarities to the domestic spying program that has many civil rights guardians on edge.

Here's the story on NPR.And a summary from it:

Bush has issued at least 750 signing statements during his presidency, more than all other presidents combined, according to the American Bar Association.

Typically, presidents have used signing statements for such purposes as instructing executive agencies how to carry out new laws.

Bush's statements often reserve the right to revise, interpret or disregard laws on national security and constitutional grounds.

"That non-veto hamstrings Congress because Congress cannot respond to a signing statement," ABA President Michael Greco has said. The practice, he has added, "is harming the separation of powers."