    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [December 26, 2007]
    [Pages 1591-1592]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008
    December 26, 2007

        Today, I signed into law H.R. 2764, legislation that will fund the
    Federal Government within the reasonable and responsible spending levels
    I proposed--without raising taxes and without the most objectionable
    policy changes considered by the Congress. This law provides a down
    payment for the resources our troops need, without arbitrary timelines
    for withdrawal. The Congress should quickly take action next year to
    provide the remainder of the funding needed by our troops.
        I am disappointed in the way the Congress compiled this legislation,
    including abandoning the goal I set early this year to reduce the number
    and cost of earmarks by half. Instead, the Congress dropped into the
    bill nearly 9,800 earmarks that total

    [[Page 1592]]

    more than $10 billion. These projects are not funded through a merit-
    based process and provide a vehicle for wasteful Government spending.
        There is still more to be done to rein in Government spending. In
    February I will submit my budget proposal for fiscal year 2009, which
    will once again restrain spending, keep taxes low, and continue us on a
    path towards a balanced budget. I look forward to working with the
    Congress in the coming year to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
        Finally, this legislation contains certain provisions similar to
    those found in prior appropriations bills passed by the Congress that
    might be construed to be inconsistent with my Constitutional
    responsibilities. To avoid such potential infirmities, the executive
    branch will interpret and construe such provisions in the same manner as
    I have previously stated in regard to similar provisions.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     December 26, 2007.