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Monday, October 09, 2006


Is Bush Going To Sign The Secure Fence Act Into Law?

Yesterday I posted about the fact that despite the victory cheers from Republicans surrounding the passage of the Secure Fence Act through Congress, which would require the building of a 700 mile fence along our southern border, President Bush has yet to sign that legislation into law.

The legislation went to the President on September 29th, and the Constitution gives the President 10 days to either veto it or sign it into law.  If Congress is in session and the President doesn’t sign or veto legislation it becomes law by default.  But if Congress isn’t in session when the 10 days are up (and Congress has already recessed for the campaign season), the law doesn’t become law.  It is essentially vetoed with no chance for an override vote in Congress.  This is called a pocket veto.

I’ve been watching the news page on the White House website and I’ve yet to see any indication that the President is going to sign this legislation into law.  If the President doesn’t sign this it will be a rather hard slap in the face for his conservative base, and today (by my count) is the last day he can do it before the time limit expires.

Republicans have been telling their base that, although many of them still support “path to citizenship” and amnesty legislation for illegals already in this country, they are committed to securing our southern border and this Security Fence Act is a testament to that.  If that all turns out to be a bunch of hot air, a ruse to placate conservative voters concerned about illegal immigration, this Republican is going to be very upset with his party.

And I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Update: Just got an email from the RNC eCampaign telling me that Bush is going to sign this bill into law after all.

So, disaster averted I guess, though it would have been nice for the President to show a little more enthusiasm for the bill.

Update: Bush may not be on the clock yet as per SCSoxFan in the comments:

You have not see an announcement of a signing because the bill has not been presented to the White House yet. The Constitution gives the President ten days to sign a bill after presentation. At Thomas.gov “presentation” is explained: “In actual practice, the Clerk, or the Secretary of the Senate when the bill originated in that body, delivers the original enrolled bill to a clerk at the White House and obtains a receipt. The fact of the delivery is then reported to the House by the Clerk. Delivery to a White House clerk has customarily been regarded as presentation to the President and as commencing the 10-day constitutional period for presidential action.”

As of three minutes ago, Thomas.gov reports the results for HR.6061 as “9/29/2006 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 19. Record Vote Number: 262.” The bill has not been officially/legally “presented” to the White House so the ten day clock has not started. I suspect the President is waiting for a more politically opportune time to sign this, closer to the election.

That’s right, actually.  Here’s the Thomas page for the legislation.  It hasn’t been presented to the President yet, so obviously he can’t have signed it.

Heartening news.  Perhaps the President is simply waiting to sign it closer to the election for political reasons.

Update: The Whistler has more over on the reader blogs.

Does this tick you off? Click here to email your elected representatives right here on Say Anything, or comment below.

Comments

Avatar for brenarlo

This would be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for many many many people.

brenarlo on October 9, 2006 at 09:31 am
Avatar for casey Kochmer

I just read they found crocodiles in the Rio grande. Who needs a fence when you have crocodiles.

I means isn’t Bush a futurist? Crocodiles seem to fit in his better world view and lots cheaper than a fence.
Perhaps thats why he supports global warming?

Casey
Be Free
A Personal Tao

casey Kochmer on October 9, 2006 at 09:47 am
Avatar for Robert Perry

And I thought we’d elected a Republican in 2000 and 2004.  Sigh.

Robert Perry on October 9, 2006 at 09:52 am
Avatar for gregdn

I can’t believe he would do this.  Even though he made it plain he wants a guest worker program why not wait on that and take what he can get right now.

gregdn on October 9, 2006 at 10:40 am
Avatar for gcleste

I am staying home on election day if he did not sign the secure the border fence bill.

gcleste on October 9, 2006 at 11:45 am
Avatar for SCSoxFan

You have not see an announcement of a signing because the bill has not been presented to the White House yet. The Constitution gives the President ten days to sign a bill after presentation. At Thomas.gov “presentation” is explained: “In actual practice, the Clerk, or the Secretary of the Senate when the bill originated in that body, delivers the original enrolled bill to a clerk at the White House and obtains a receipt. The fact of the delivery is then reported to the House by the Clerk. Delivery to a White House clerk has customarily been regarded as presentation to the President and as commencing the 10-day constitutional period for presidential action.”

As of three minutes ago, Thomas.gov reports the results for HR.6061 as “9/29/2006 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 19. Record Vote Number: 262.” The bill has not been officially/legally “presented” to the White House so the ten day clock has not started. I suspect the President is waiting for a more politically opportune time to sign this, closer to the election.

SCSoxFan on October 9, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Avatar for Codekeyguy

Remember that “all politics is local”, so even if Bush wimps out, do you want Pelosi in charge????? One of the bloggers suggested the “Piranna Solution”.  Better than crocodiles!!!!!

Codekeyguy on October 9, 2006 at 01:47 pm
Avatar for Stiknstein

The President will sign the Bill, BUT….. Those who think this bill will require a fence of any substance to be built will be disappointed. Loopholes added at the last minute….Veto rights over the placement by Indian tribes, border towns, local governments. Bush himself has never said a physical fence will be built. A virtual fence will be what we get. Mark my Words.

Stiknstein on October 9, 2006 at 04:18 pm
Avatar for Charles

And the REASON it hasn’t been sent to the President yet is that the republicans in congress are HOLDING the bill so the signing ceremony is closer to the election, for maximum effect.  There will be a public and well-publicized signing ceremony on this bill.

Charles on October 9, 2006 at 07:27 pm
Avatar for Lee

Hell No Bush the traitor will NOT sign the bill.
He wants the Mexicans to take over this country and he
is also helping them.
Bush is a liar and the bastard traitor of this country.

Lee on October 10, 2006 at 08:07 am
Avatar for jdubious

“Earned path to citizenship,” aside from “undocumented worker,” has got to be my least favorite euphemism involved with this entire farce.

Because we HAVE an earned path to citizenship. The line starts at 305 Paseo de Reforma, in Mexico City.

jdubious on October 10, 2006 at 08:35 am

Once a Bill is signed into law it is difficult to change. Maybe the bill indicates certain details that are not appropriate or accurate for what needs to be accomplished?

Zsa Zsa on October 10, 2006 at 09:11 am
Avatar for WOOF

The 10-day period starts only after Congress formally prints and delivers the bill for the President to sign into law.

the White House want to schedule the signing for what they see as the maximum impact to the midterm elections. This means waiting for other stories to fall off the front pages. My source told me that the terrorist detention and interrogation bill will be signed on October 17th, and they want this to come after that.

Captain Queeg

WOOF on October 10, 2006 at 09:46 am
Avatar for aNONOMISLY

Bush will sign it, ...and two years will become ~thirty years,  ..~1.5 billion dollars will become ~15 billion dollars ..

aNONOMISLY on October 10, 2006 at 10:05 am
Avatar for Art

I have a short comment.  Why did we get all nervous?  How is it an entire country en masse had to learn about enrollment after having that system for over 200 years?

The answer is - now more than ever every able man and woman had to watch our leaders with a fine tooth comb for everything they do to save our country.  Were not Washington evil toward Americans, most of us never had to notice the procedure before.  And that is something the neoconservatives should take notice of - our vigil watch on who’s minding the store.

Art on October 10, 2006 at 11:38 am
Avatar for Lee

What will Americans do when they find out Bush signed the
North American Union agreement in secret ?
Personally I see a Civil War and have spoke with hundreds
that also see it coming.
Bush should be convicted of treason.

Lee on October 11, 2006 at 08:00 am
Avatar for Lee

I see a Civil War coming shortly. People are sick of Bush
and damn lies with letting in illegal Mexicans.

Lee on October 15, 2006 at 05:27 am
Avatar for Bezu Fache

Mexican Illegals protesting in U.S. Cities!


ATZLAN CAN KISS MY ASS!!!!!

Bezu Fache on October 15, 2006 at 05:36 am

The whole border security thing is just a joke. 1) We have think tanks (one’s they trust) telling the admin its not advisable to deport all the illegals 2) We have SPECIFIC LAWS AND PROCEDURES SET OUT FOR BECOMING AN AMERICAN AND CROSSING THE DAMN BORDER LEGALLY which no one seems to give a shit about. What type of a message does it send when congress wants to just pardon or forget about 12 million or so people who have broken the law. Whether or not you think we should let mexicans who shouldnt lawfully be here stay is another issue. The more fundamental (yet more abstract too) issue here is why do we make laws? What is the point of it if we don’t enforce them? Bet your ass there has been enforcement issues with these laws under multiple administrations of both persuation.
And the civil war guy is an idiot. Thanks lee.


For truth is named after the daughter of time, not of authority.

-Francis Bacon

Sparkie Arbuckle on October 15, 2006 at 05:54 am
Avatar for Lee

Sparkie you can count on a civil war. Bush refuses to defend the invasion from Mexico so who else can save this
country ? sure wont be the Government and the lying Bush.

Lee on October 16, 2006 at 06:36 am
Avatar for Lee

I took up for Bush the other day, someone told me Bush ate
shit and barked at the moon, I said no way does Bush bark
at the moon.

Lee on October 30, 2006 at 07:41 am
Avatar for trulliz

I just read they found crocodiles in the Rio grande. Who needs a fence when you have crocodiles.

I means isn’t Bush a futurist? Crocodiles seem to fit in his better world view and lots cheaper than a fence.
Perhaps thats why he supports global warming?

trulliz on May 13, 2007 at 11:23 am
Avatar for polly

Once a Bill is signed into law it is difficult to change. Maybe the bill indicates certain details that are not appropriate or accurate for what needs to be accomplished?

polly on May 14, 2007 at 10:31 am
Avatar for polly

The President will sign the Bill, BUT….. Those who think this bill will require a fence of any substance to be built will be disappointed.

polly on June 14, 2007 at 07:26 pm
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