Presidential Signing Statements, and More from CRS
President Obama has used “signing statements” to take exception to provisions of law enacted by Congress with significantly less frequency than did President George W. Bush. He has also abandoned reference to the “unitary executive” concept that was favored by the Bush Administration.
In most other respects, however, the Obama Administration’s use of signing statements is consistent and continuous with recent past practice, according to a newly updated report from the Congressional Research Service. The report reviewed the basis for signing statements, their legal implications, and the controversy that has surrounded them. See Presidential Signing Statements: Constitutional and Institutional Implications, January 4, 2012.
Some other new or newly updated CRS reports that have not been made readily available to the public include the following (all pdf).
Legal Issues Associated with the Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline, January 23, 2012
“Who is a Veteran?” — Basic Eligibility for Veterans’ Benefits, January 23, 2012
Federal Aid to Roads and Highways Since the 18th Century: A Legislative History, January 6, 2012
Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress, January 6, 2012
Iran Sanctions, January 6, 2012
Improving public awareness of FDA Advisory Committees would improve public trust and deter misinformation related to the approval of medical products.
FAS has been a leading voice for action on this topic, and has developed a compendium of 150+ heat-related federal policy recommendations.
Proposed bills advance research ecosystems, economic development, and education access and move now to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote
The absence of consistent voting privileges for patient representatives on Advisory Committees hinders representatives from providing an voice on behalf of the community they represent.