WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today said that he is an original co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation to clarify the use of presidential signing statements as a source of authority in the courts. The bill’s lead sponsor is Senator Arlen Specter. Grassley co-sponsored similar legislation in the 110th Congress.
“The president should not over-step his constitutional authority. Congress writes the laws, and the executive branch carries them out. Presidential signing statements often undermine congressional intent and create unnecessary legal battles in the courts,” Grassley said.
The legislation, the “Presidential Signing Statements Act of 2009,” prohibits courts from relying on, or deferring to, presidential signing statements as a source of authority when determining the meaning of any act of Congress. The bill also gives Congress a voice in any litigation involving signing statements and ensures expedited consideration by the courts.
Earlier this year Grassley wrote to President Barack Obama asking for an accounting of his signing statement on the omnibus spending bill. The signing statement identified certain provisions of the legislation where the president would exercise his authority not to comply with the law. Grassley was particularly concerned with the statement singling out a provision that would undermine important whistleblower protections.
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