Academic

SO, HOW?S THAT SIGNING-STATEMENT PROMISE WORKING OUT? I am sure that I am not alone in noticing t?

By Glenn Reynolds

SO, HOW’S THAT SIGNING-STATEMENT PROMISE WORKING OUT?

I am sure that I am not alone in noticing that the White House webpage hasn?t had a new constitutional signing statements posted since last summer.

This article by the NY Times? Charlie Savage Friday sheds new light on why that is. According to the article, the Administration has a new policy on signing statements that it has adopted in the wake of last summer?s kerfuffle with Congress. In short, it will still take the position that certain provisions of newly enacted laws would unconstitutionally infringe on Executive Branch prerogatives (or would otherwise be unconstitutional). It just won?t say so in signing statements.

I can?t imagine that those in Congress who objected to this practice will consider this an improvement. Although the Bush Administration was openly mocked in some quarters for saying its practice promoted transparency, it may be regarded as better than the alternative.

Perhaps some fresh mockery is in order now?

Full post as published by Instapundit.com on January 10, 2010 (boomark / email).