    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [November 12, 2001]
    [Pages 1389-1390]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    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:

         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;
         nonproliferation programs that seek to prevent nuclear
                materials and other weapons of mass destruction from falling
                into the hands of terrorists and rogue states;
         stockpile stewardship, which is critical to maintaining the
                safety, reliability, and performance of our nuclear weapons
                stockpile; and
         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

    [[Page 1390]]

     The White House,

     November 12, 2001.

      Note:  H.R. 2311, approved November 12, was assigned Public Law No.
    107-66. This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary
    on November 13.