    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [November 27, 2002]
    [Pages 2140-2141]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
    2003
    November 27, 2002

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 4628, the ``Intelligence
    Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003,'' which authorizes
    appropriations to fund United States intelligence activities, including
    activities essential to success in the war against global terrorism.
    This Act also establishes the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks
    Upon the United States to examine and report on

    [[Page 2141]]

    the facts and causes relating to the September 11th terrorist attacks.
    The Commission will build upon the work of the congressional joint
    inquiries to carefully examine the circumstances surrounding the attacks
    and the lessons to be learned from them. I expect that the Commission's
    final report will contain important recommendations for steps that can
    be taken to improve our preparedness for and response to terrorist
    attacks in the future.
        The executive branch shall implement sections 325, 334, and 826 of
    the Act, and section 8H(g)(1)(A) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 as
    enacted by section 825 of the Act, relating to submission of
    recommendations to the Congress, in a manner consistent with the
    President's constitutional authority to supervise the unitary executive
    branch.
        Many provisions of the Act, including section 342 and title VIII,
    establish new requirements for the executive branch to disclose
    sensitive information. As I have noted in signing last year's
    Intelligence Authorization Act and other similar legislation, the
    executive branch shall construe such provisions in a manner consistent
    with the President's constitutional authority to withhold information
    the disclosure of which could impair foreign relations, the national
    security, the deliberative processes of the Executive, or the
    performance of the Executive's constitutional duties.
        The executive branch shall construe subsections 501(d) and (e),
    relating to the number and activities of military personnel deployed
    abroad, in a manner consistent with the President's constitutional
    authority as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     November 27, 2002.

    Note: H.R. 4628, approved November 27, was assigned Public Law No. 107-
    306.