[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 39 (Monday, October 6, 2008)]
[Pages 1280-1281]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and 
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009

September 30, 2008

    Today I have signed into law H.R. 2638, the ``Consolidated Security, 
Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.'' The Act, 
consisting of five divisions, consolidates into a single Act several 
appropriations bills. It provides through emergency supplemental 
appropriations additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 resources needed for 
relief and recovery from hurricanes, floods, and other disasters, and 
other supplemental appropriations.
    The Act also includes full-year FY 2009 appropriations for the 
Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security and for 
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Furthermore, the Act 
provides

[[Page 1281]]

FY 2009 appropriations to continue operations of the Federal Government 
through March 6, 2009, for projects and activities not otherwise covered 
in the full-year bills. This Act lifts the legislative moratoria on oil 
and gas leasing on significant portions of the Outer Continental Shelf 
and the prohibition on the completion of regulations for commercial 
leasing of oil shale, which will allow us to reduce our dependence on 
foreign oil.
    I am disappointed that the Congress passed a long-term continuing 
resolution. There is much work to be done, and the Congress should not 
adjourn for the year without finishing important business on spending, 
taxes, and free trade agreements.
    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,
 September 30, 2008.

Note: H.R. 2638, approved September 30, was assigned Public Law No. 110-
329.