[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 46 (Monday, November 19, 2007)]
[Page 1498]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008

November 13, 2007

    Today, I have signed into law H.R. 3222, the ``Department of Defense 
Appropriations Act, 2008.'' The Act appropriates funds needed to support 
the U.S. Armed Forces as they protect the United States and the American 
people and advance United States interests around the globe.
    The Act contains certain provisions identical to those found in 
prior bills passed by the Congress that might be construed to be 
inconsistent with my Constitutional responsibilities (sections 8005, 
8009, 8012(b), 8034(b), 8052, 8082, 8085, 8089, 8091, and 8116, and the 
provision concerning consolidation under the heading ``Operation and 
Maintenance, Defense Wide''). To avoid such potential infirmities, I 
will interpret and construe such provisions in the same manner as I have 
previously stated in regard to those provisions.
    The Act also continues through December 14, 2007, funding for 
Government programs for which the Congress has not yet passed regular 
appropriations acts. However, the Act does not provide funds needed to 
support members of the U.S. Armed Forces deployed for combat in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, and I expect and urge the Congress to promptly present 
separate legislation to meet that urgent funding need.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 November 13, 2007.