[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 40 (Monday, October 7, 2002)]
[Page 1660]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing a Continuing Resolution

September 30, 2002

    Today I have signed into law H.J. Res. 111, a short-term continuing 
resolution for FY 2003. The resolution provides appropriations for 
continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government through 
October 4, 2002. It ensures that Government operations continue without 
interruption at their current operating level, creates no new programs, 
and contains no increases in spending.
    Section 117 of the continuing resolution purports to prohibit all 
executive branch agencies from spending any funds made available under 
the continuing resolution ``in violation of section 501 of title 44, 
United States Code.'' That section would require executive branch 
agencies to procure printing from the Government Printing Office, a 
legislative branch entity. The longstanding position of the executive 
branch, memorialized in a May 1996 opinion by the Department of Justice, 
is that this language violates the constitutional principles of 
separation of powers and therefore is not binding on the executive 
branch. [See Memorandum from Walter Dellinger, Assistant Attorney 
General, to Emily C. Hewitt, General Counsel, General Services 
Administration, May 31, 1996.]
    My Administration will continue to work with the Congress to ensure 
that sound fiscal principles are adhered to as we complete action on the 
FY 2003 appropriations bills.
                                                George W. Bush
The White House,
September 30, 2002.

Note: H.J. Res. 111, approved September 30, was assigned Public Law No. 
107-229.