    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [January 28, 2008]
    [Pages 115-116]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
    Year 2008
    January 28, 2008

        Today, I have signed into law H.R. 4986, the National Defense
    Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. The Act authorizes funding for
    the defense of the United States and its interests abroad, for military
    construction, and for national security-related energy programs.
        Provisions of the Act, including sections 841, 846, 1079, and 1222,
    purport to impose requirements that could inhibit the President's
    ability to carry out his constitutional obligations to take care that
    the laws be faithfully executed, to protect national security, to
    supervise the executive branch, and to execute his authority as
    Commander in Chief. The executive branch shall construe such provisions
    in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the
    President.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

    [[Page 116]]

     January 28, 2008.

    Note: H.R. 4986, approved January 28, was assigned Public Law No. 110
    09181.