What are presidential signing statements?
When a United States President signs legislation enacted by Congress, he may issue a written statement commenting on his actions. Here’s a very brief explanation from Cheryl Nyberg, at the University of Washington School of Law. For a more comprehensive definition of signing statements, read the introduction of Presidential Signing Statements: Constitutional and Institutional Implications, Report for Congress RL33667 (updated September 17, 2007). In April, 2007, the Library of Congress posted a useful short guide to signing statements. In a letter opinion issued 18 June 2007, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) provides an excellent background summary of signing statements that begins with this sentence: “There is no established definition of ‘signing statement.'” See GAO Letter Opinion B-308603, Presidential Signing Statements Accompanying the Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations Acts, pp. 2 and 3 (June 18, 2007).
