Who drafts the signing statements for President Bush?
Several news articles have addressed this question. See, e.g., Cheney’s Guy: Barely known outside Washington’s corridors of power, David Addington is the most powerful man you’ve never heard of (May, 2006) (U.S. News and World Reports); Cheney aide is screening legislation: Adviser seeks to protect Bush power (May, 2006) (Charlie Savage, Boston Globe). Those who wish to explore the issue further should examine the administration’s Statements of Administration Policy (SAPs). While a bill is pending in Congress, the Executive Branch may send Congress a SAP explaining the administration’s position on the bill. SAPs are issued through the Office of Management & Budget while the bill is being considered. The OMB may send a SAP to either chamber of Congress or to any committee or subcommittee. SAPs may praise a bill, express support, discourage passage, state Executive objections to specific provisions, or contain veto threats. There is a strong correlation between language found in signing
