Obama's signing statements draw fire for mimicking Bush

Updated: July 21, 2009 - 8:40 PM

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WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has irked close allies in Congress by declaring he has the right to ignore legislation on constitutional grounds after having criticized George W. Bush for doing the same.

Four senior House Democrats on Tuesday said in a letter that they were "surprised" and "chagrined" by Obama's declaration in June that he doesn't have to comply with provisions in a war spending bill that puts conditions on aid provided to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

In a signing statement accompanying the $106 billion bill, Obama said he wouldn't allow the legislation to interfere with his authority as president to conduct foreign policy and negotiate with other governments.

Similar statements have accompanied several other bills.

The letter to Obama was signed by Reps. David Obey of Wisconsin, Barney Frank of Massachusetts, and Nita Lowey and Gregory Meeks of New York.

The White House said Tuesday the administration plans to implement the provisions of the bill and suggested that Obama's signing statement was aimed more at defending the president's executive powers than skirting the law.

ASSOCIATED PRESS