For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 13, 2002
Statement by the President
I am today signing into law H.R. 2646, the "Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002." This Act will provide a safety net for
America's farmers, who feed America and much of the world. The Act
also will expand nutrition programs and improve the conservation and
effective use of our natural resources.
A few provisions of the Act raise constitutional concerns.
The method of appointment of the board of trustees of the
fellowship program prescribed in section 4404 of the Act is
inconsistent with the requirements of the Appointments Clause of the
Constitution. I am prepared to work with the Congress to enact
legislation to cure this constitutional defect before the effective
date of the program.
Sections 6027 and 6028 of the Act establish and continue
multi-member regional authorities to implement development programs.
Serious doubts arise concerning the constitutionality of these regional
authorities because the members are likely Federal officers for
purposes of the Appointments Clause, but many of the members are not
appointed in the manner required by that Clause. Again, I am prepared
to work with the Congress to enact legislation that will cure this
constitutional shortcoming by establishing the role of the members as
advisory only, or by providing for appointment of all the members in
accordance with the Appointments Clause.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 13, 2002.
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