    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [August 9, 2004]
    [Page 1564]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of
    2004
    August 9, 2004

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 2443, the ``Coast Guard and
    Maritime Transportation Act of 2004.'' The Act authorizes appropriations
    for the United States Coast Guard, facilitates navigation and shipping,
    and strengthens the security of maritime transportation.
        To the extent that provisions of the Act, including sections 217,
    708(c)(2), and 803(c)(11), call for submission of legislative
    recommendations to the Congress, the executive branch shall construe
    such provisions in a manner consistent with the President's
    constitutional authority to supervise the unitary executive branch and
    to recommend for the consideration of the Congress such measures as the
    President shall judge necessary and expedient. Accordingly, the affected
    departments and agencies shall ensure that any reports or
    recommendations submitted to the Congress are subjected to appropriate
    executive branch review and approval before submission.
        To ensure consistency with the Appointments Clause of the
    Constitution, the executive branch shall construe the phrase ``if
    acceptable to the President and the Senate'' as used in section 220 of
    the Act to require nomination by the President and the advise and
    consent of the Senate for the appointments addressed by that section.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     August 9, 2004.

    Note: H.R. 2443, approved August 9, was assigned Public Law No. 108-293.