    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [July 2, 2004]
    [Pages 1233-1234]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing Legislation To Provide for the Transfer of the
    Nebraska Avenue Naval Complex
    July 2, 2004

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 4322, ``An Act to provide for the
    transfer of the Nebraska Avenue Naval Complex in the District of
    Columbia to facilitate the establishment of the headquarters for the
    Department of Homeland Security, to provide for the acquisition by the
    Department of the Navy of suitable replacement facilities, and for other
    purposes.'' This legislation will allow the Department of Homeland
    Security (DHS) to consolidate headquarters staff at the Complex for the
    foreseeable future.
        The executive branch shall construe section 1(g)(3) of the Act,
    which purports to make consultation with specified Members of Congress a
    precondition to execution of the law, as calling for, but not mandating,
    such consultation. Construing the provision as a mandate to consult
    would be inconsistent with constitutional provisions concerning the
    separate powers of the Congress to legislate and the President to
    execute the laws.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     July 2, 2004.

    Note: H.R. 4322, approved July 2, was assigned Public Law No. 108-268.

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