[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 29, 1992]
[Pages 2090-2091]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Federal Courts Administration Act of 1992
October 29, 1992

    Today I am signing into law S. 1569, the ``Federal Courts 
Administration Act of 1992.'' I am pleased that the bill explicitly 
authorizes an American national to file suit in the United States for 
the recovery of treble damages against the perpetrators of

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international terrorism. This will ensure that, if needed, a remedy will 
be available for Americans injured abroad by senseless acts of 
terrorism.
    My approval of this bill also enacts a number of recommendations 
made by the Federal Courts Study Committee and contains a number of 
other important provisions for the judicial branch and its personnel. In 
addition, the bill makes certain important amendments to the Contract 
Disputes Act--amendments that will serve to provide a more efficient and 
fair resolution of contract disputes for many of those who do business 
with the Federal Government.
    S. 1569 abolishes the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals (TECA), 
which was established in 1970 to rule on appeals of certain oil price 
control cases. TECA's appellate jurisdiction will be transferred to the 
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. I hope and expect that 
the Federal Circuit will adopt TECA precedent, just as the Federal 
Circuit earlier adopted Court of Claims precedent when its appellate 
jurisdiction was transferred to the Federal Circuit. Adoption of TECA 
precedent would reduce any uncertainty prompted by the change of 
appellate jurisdiction, reducing delay in resolution of these matters 
and assisting the Department of Energy's efforts to bring these 
petroleum cases to a proper conclusion.
    Although I have signed S. 1569, I will also withhold my approval of 
H.R. 6185. While both bills contain many of the same provisions, the 
amendments to the Contract Disputes Act contained in S. 1569 will better 
serve the public interest of improving the resolution of contract claim 
disputes between the Federal Government and its contractors.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
October 29, 1992.

                    Note: S. 1569, approved October 29, was assigned 
                        Public Law No. 102-572. This statement was 
                        released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
                        October 30.