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Statement by President Donald J. Trump on the Signing of H.R. 3364
Whitehouse.gov ^ | August 2, 2017 | Donald J. Trump

Posted on 08/03/2017 6:11:33 AM PDT by be-baw

Statement by President Donald J. Trump on the Signing of H.R. 3364

Today, I have signed into law H.R. 3364, the "Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act." While I favor tough measures to punish and deter aggressive and destabilizing behavior by Iran, North Korea, and Russia, this legislation is significantly flawed.

In its haste to pass this legislation, the Congress included a number of clearly unconstitutional provisions. For instance, although I share the policy views of sections 253 and 257, those provisions purport to displace the President's exclusive constitutional authority to recognize foreign governments, including their territorial bounds, in conflict with the Supreme Court's recent decision in Zivotofsky v. Kerry.

Additionally, section 216 seeks to grant the Congress the ability to change the law outside the constitutionally required process. The bill prescribes a review period that precludes the President from taking certain actions. Certain provisions in section 216, however, conflict with the Supreme Court's decision in INS v. Chadha, because they purport to allow the Congress to extend the review period through procedures that do not satisfy the requirements for changing the law under Article I, section 7 of the Constitution. I nevertheless expect to honor the bill's extended waiting periods to ensure that the Congress will have a full opportunity to avail itself of the bill's review procedures.

Further, certain provisions, such as sections 254 and 257, purport to direct my subordinates in the executive branch to undertake certain diplomatic initiatives, in contravention of the President's exclusive constitutional authority to determine the time, scope, and objectives of international negotiations. And other provisions, such as sections 104, 107, 222, 224, 227, 228, and 234, would require me to deny certain individuals entry into the United States, without an exception for the President's responsibility to receive ambassadors under Article II, section 3 of the Constitution. My Administration will give careful and respectful consideration to the preferences expressed by the Congress in these various provisions and will implement them in a manner consistent with the President's constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations.

Finally, my Administration particularly expects the Congress to refrain from using this flawed bill to hinder our important work with European allies to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, and from using it to hinder our efforts to address any unintended consequences it may have for American businesses, our friends, or our allies.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE August 2, 2017.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: sanctions
It is fairly routine for a POTUS to issue signing statements for new laws that essentially say I have these concerns, and I reserve the right to enforce or not enforce sections as I see fit.
1 posted on 08/03/2017 6:11:33 AM PDT by be-baw
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To: be-baw

I think signing this was a mistake.

He signed it because congress could go back and get a veto proof vote, not needing his signature.

He should have made them do that.


2 posted on 08/03/2017 6:14:37 AM PDT by null and void (ObamaCare, giving the government the power of life and death over Americans since March 23, 2010...)
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To: null and void
President Trump in his attached letter brought up unconstitutional aspects of the bill. Can't President Trump enact Executive Orders that go against the bill if he sees fit? Then Congress would have to go through the courts to get their revenge bill enacted.

In the long term, isn't that the best way to get rid of Congressional over-reach?

3 posted on 08/03/2017 6:19:44 AM PDT by grania (Deplorable and Proud of It!)
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To: null and void

I agree. Don’t do the bastards in Congress any favors. They would not urinate on President Trump if he was on fire. As far as I am concerned, they can all go to hell and stat there. And that goes double for John McCain and his girlfriend Linda, nee Lindsey Graham.


4 posted on 08/03/2017 6:26:40 AM PDT by sport
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To: null and void

Who writes these laws anyway? No congreesscritter I know has the smarts to sign his own name without help.


5 posted on 08/03/2017 6:30:23 AM PDT by Don Corleone (.leave the gun, take the canolis, take it to the mattress.)
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To: be-baw
GOP Congress: "We were tired of winning."
6 posted on 08/03/2017 6:30:36 AM PDT by Drew68
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To: null and void

How long has it been since THAT has happened?


7 posted on 08/03/2017 6:39:49 AM PDT by Delta 21
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To: be-baw

I read this commentary re the Russian sanctions-
http://thesaker.is/sanctions-smoke-and-mirrors-from-a-kindergarten-on-lsd/

Are the Neo-Cons that much in control?


8 posted on 08/03/2017 6:44:15 AM PDT by Presbyterian Reporter
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To: null and void
I think signing this was a mistake.

I agree.

9 posted on 08/03/2017 6:45:40 AM PDT by Bloody Sam Roberts ("Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers)
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To: grania
Perhaps, but there is something to be said for
a) making a stand: you can have this law, but not over MY signature. and
b) the time they spend getting a veto proof vote is time they can't spend on other mischief...

10 posted on 08/03/2017 6:52:08 AM PDT by null and void (ObamaCare, giving the government the power of life and death over Americans since March 23, 2010...)
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To: Delta 21

No idea.


11 posted on 08/03/2017 6:52:58 AM PDT by null and void (ObamaCare, giving the government the power of life and death over Americans since March 23, 2010...)
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To: be-baw
Well, if Congress is incapable to doing anything useful... I guess causing mischief at least gives them cred with the corrupt press...

Kiss that MSM butt Republicans - - I'm sure they'll invite you to their cool parties.../s

12 posted on 08/03/2017 7:10:21 AM PDT by GOPJ (To totalitarians an open inquisitive mind is more dangerous than a Marine with a rifle-James Mattis)
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To: Don Corleone
Who writes these laws anyway? No congreesscritter I know has the smarts to sign his own name without help.

Lots of legislation is written by lobbyists, their staffs and their lawyers.

This is tied in with fundraising by the lobbyists. There's a million ways to hide under the table money. Politicians are masters at this.

13 posted on 08/03/2017 7:42:54 AM PDT by upchuck (Turn signals and brake lights... instant messaging before there was instant messaging.)
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To: be-baw

The only thing the GOP led Congress has given him to sign!


14 posted on 08/03/2017 7:46:49 AM PDT by fortheDeclaration (Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:but sin is a reproach to any people)
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To: Presbyterian Reporter

Good article. The neocons are active on the FR too. Our resident war mongers.


15 posted on 08/03/2017 7:49:55 AM PDT by Seruzawa (FABOL)
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To: null and void

111 times. More than I thought.

http://history.house.gov/Institution/Presidential-Vetoes/Presidential-Vetoes/


16 posted on 08/03/2017 8:15:34 AM PDT by Delta 21
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To: null and void; Bloody Sam Roberts

I think signing this was a mistake.

~~~~~~
I agree.


Ditto.

Let Congress pass this garbage on their very own.

Screw the optics.


17 posted on 08/03/2017 8:19:21 AM PDT by Jane Long (Praise God, from whom ALL blessings flow.)
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