Statement on Signing the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006

Statement on Signing the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006

November 14, 2005

Today, I have signed into law H.R. 3057, the ``Foreign Operations,
Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006.'' The
Act provides funds in support of United States foreign policy objectives
abroad.

The Executive Branch shall construe as advisory certain provisions
of the Act that purport to direct or burden the President's
constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations, either by
purporting to direct the content of certain international negotiations
and communications or by directing the Executive Branch to collaborate
with other entities in the development of foreign policy. These
provisions include sections 506(a), 514, 551, 561(a) and (d), 562,
575(a), 590(b) and 593.

The Executive Branch shall also construe certain provisions of the
Act that purport to make consultation with the Congress a precondition
to the execution of the law as calling for, but not mandating, such
consultation, as is consistent with the Constitution's provisions
concerning the separate powers of the Congress to legislate and of the
President to execute the laws. Such provisions include sections 506(e),
509(b), 512, 534(k), 543(b), 564(b), 576(c), 595, and provisions under
the headings ``Transition Initiatives,'' USAID; ``Andean Counterdrug
Initiative,'' Department of State; and ``Debt Restructuring,''
Department of the Treasury.

George W. Bush

The White House,
November 14, 2005.