Bob Casey: “We now learn that the President, in signing the Department of Defense authorization bill into law yesterday, has once…”

“We now learn that the President, in signing the Department of Defense authorization bill into law yesterday, has once again taken the opportunity to issue another infamous signing statement, imposing his own interpretation of a law over the clear intent of the Congress. Let's not forget that this important legislation has been needlessly delayed for weeks because the President wanted to defer to concerns of the Iraqi Government over compensation for U.S. victims of Saddam Hussein's acts of terrorism. Let me repeat that. A critical pay raise for our troops was delayed because a foreign government raised concerns with this White House. In signing the Department of Defense authorization bill into law, the President declared his right to ignore--ignore--several important provisions, including the establishment of an important special commission to review wartime contracting. This provision was an initiative of the Senate Democratic freshmen class, led by Senators Webb and McCaskill. The President also declared his right to ignore a provision prohibiting funding for U.S. military bases or installations in Iraq that facilitate 'permanent station' of U.S. troops in Iraq. Let me say that again in plain language. This provision sought to prevent the United States from establishing permanent bases in Iraq, and the President has indicated he may ignore--ignore--this provision.”