Statement on Signing the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2002

Statement on Signing the Energy and Water Development Appropriations
Act, 2002

November 12, 2001

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2311, the ``Energy and Water
Development Appropriations Act, 2002.''
I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this
Act. The bill abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for
Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion. It provides funding for several
important programs with significant national benefits including:
<bullet>    key research projects designed to develop new energy
technologies and improve the efficiency of existing energy
technologies, such as for solar and renewable energy
production, as called for in the National Energy Policy
report;
<bullet>    nonproliferation programs that seek to prevent nuclear
materials and other weapons of mass destruction from falling
into the hands of terrorists and rogue states;
<bullet>    stockpile stewardship, which is critical to maintaining the
safety, reliability, and performance of our nuclear weapons
stockpile; and
<bullet>    water resources development and management projects, and
programs for commercial navigation, flood damage reduction,
and environmental restoration and enhancement.
Section 303 of the bill purports to require congressional approval
before executive branch execution of aspects of the bill. I will
interpret such provisions to require notification only, since any other
interpretation would contradict the Supreme Court ruling in INS v.
Chadha. Provisions of H.R. 2311 that purport to remove my authority to
oversee the activities of the Army Corps of Engineers will be construed
consistent with my constitutional authority to supervise the unitary
executive branch.
My Administration appreciates that the Congress has worked
expeditiously during this difficult and trying time in our Nation's
history to consider the FY 2002 appropriations bills. Now, through a
renewed sense of bipartisanship, the Congress and the Administration
must work together to ensure the timely enactment of the remaining
bills.
George W. Bush
The White House,
November 12, 2001.