Specter asks why Bush ‘can cherry-pick what he likes and what he doesn’t like’ in the law
Over the weekend, the [tag]Boston Globe[/tag] ran a deeply disturbing item, highlighting the fact that [tag]Bush[/tag] has “claimed the authority to [tag]disobey[/tag] more than [tag]750[/tag] [tag]laws[/tag] enacted since he took office.” [tag]Congress[/tag] has passed the bills, and the [tag]president[/tag] has signed them into law, but Bush keeps issuing “[tag]signing statements[/tag]” explaining his dubious authority to ignore provisions of the law whenever he wants to.
On Monday, several top Senate Democrats condemned the president’s approach to constitutional duties. Yesterday, a top Senate Republican joined them.
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, accusing the White House of a ”very blatant encroachment” on congressional [tag]authority[/tag], said yesterday he will hold an oversight [tag]hearing[/tag] into President Bush’s assertion that he has the power to bypass more than 750 laws enacted over the past five years.
”There is some need for some oversight by Congress to assert its authority here,” [tag]Arlen Specter[/tag], Republican of Pennsylvania, said in an interview. ”What’s the point of having a statute if . . . the president can [tag]cherry-pick[/tag] what he likes and what he doesn’t like?”
That’s a good question. I can only hope Specter is sincere in asking it. He has a habit of talking tough, but failing to follow through. We’ll see what happens here.
At the risk of sounding optimistic, the hearing is slated to be a direct challenge to the president’s conduct.
Specter said he plans to hold the hearing in June. He said he intends to call administration officials to explain and defend the president’s claims of authority, as well to invite constitutional scholars to testify on whether Bush has overstepped the boundaries of his power.
The senator emphasized that his goal is ”to bring some light on the subject.” Legal scholars say that, when confronted by a president encroaching on their power, Congress’s options are limited. Lawmakers can call for hearings or cut the funds of a targeted program to apply political pressure, or take the more politically charged steps of censure or [tag]impeachment[/tag].
Responding to Bush’s habit, [tag]Specter[/tag] added, “It’s a very blatant encroachment on [Congress’s constitutional] powers. If he doesn’t like the bill, let him veto it.”
It sounds like Specter is burdened by pre-9/11 thinking. He apparently doesn’t understand that Bush has to be able to sign, alter, and ignore any law he chooses, or the terrorists win.
Specter is an idiot. As long as Bush is allowed to use these signing statements to pick and chose which laws he follows, any threat to cut funding is toothless.
When will Congress wake up and realize they have been rendered irrelevant by this administration?
Specter is all mouth and no ass. One phone call from
Cheney or Rove, and he’ll crawl back into his cage.
The amazing part is that these laws were passed by a republican congress that rubber stamps whatever King George the Deciderer wants.
Since they are eager to do whatever Bush asks of them, why doesn’t he just ask them to pass laws he’s willing to adhere to? Seems perfectly simple and legal to me.
I’m guessing that governing is too hard for these guys. It’s so much easier to play act it for the day, then hit one of the Dukester’s poker/prostitute parties at night.
It is a sad day when our best hope is Arlen Specter.
Arf arf arf, Grrrrr!!!!. The lapdog puts on a good show of bravado before eventually cowering in the corner.
”There is some need for some oversight…..”
A Mighty Wind.
We can hope now!!!!!!!! Chargin’ Arlen is riding to the rescue of our Constitution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He’s even riding a white horse, leading an army of moderate Republicans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On second thought, I’m just dreamin’.
Arlen Specter was once a guy with some efficacy and integrity, years ago. It’s a shame for him personally, and of course for our country, that it’s come to this. Sporadic, toothless threats to do what’s right. It’s like watching a dog bark while he’s dreaming.
“It’s like watching a dog bark while he’s dreaming.”
That’s an excellent description of this sorry son of a bitch.
Yeah, CB, you sound optimistic. When Bush manages to make it through the magical 30% JAR, then, and only then, will the ‘moderate’ Republicans attempt to find their spine.
I’m wondering at what point Congress will be reduced to such a state of irrelevancy that it can eliminated entirely. All the money that goes into the legislative branch could fund another Bush tax cut. Then he could get his sycophants on the court to eliminate themselves. No need for elections or campaigns or laws, so long as we have Bush with God in his ear. Let us pray…
NPR’s “Open Source” program had an outstanding discussion on Bush’s signing statements tonight. They say you can download and listen to it hear: http://www.radioopensource.org/
As usual for NPR, it’s balanced and the’ve got Republicans defending Bush, except Bush is so full of it that he’s hard to defend.
Anyway, I already wrote to my senator about this, but I encourage everyone else to write as well.
I don’t see what all you liberals is whinin’ about. Heck, I drive 150 mph every day on muh way to work. Heck with them cops. I jes’ signs the ticket, an’ notes that I deems the speedin’ laws ain’t apply to me, bein’ how we is at whar an’ whut not.
I also ain’t got to pay for muh food, drinks, ner gas. You an’ yer liberal “oh, we got these here laws an’ such, gotta RESPECT them” whinin’ makes me sick! Iffen we starts enforcin’ laws ever which-a-way, then the terrists win!
Laws hate America!