"I'm not dead yet"

[scarfman]

I'm certain I heard or saw on broadcast news one recent morning that that was the day the Military Commissions Act was to be signed by the President into law, but I haven't heard anything more. Was it just not suffficiently newsworthy that he signed it? Was it not sufficiently newsworthy that he didn't sign it (I really don't think he's so clever or devious, or un-self-serving, but I have entertained the notion that George would walk up to the podium, pick up the pen, then look up at the gathered houses of Congress and go, "Punk'd!" and berate them for spinelessness and betrayal of their trust*)? Or am I all wrong, and the signing date is still nigh? kthx

* Don't mind me, I'm channelling Claudius the God.

Comments

[antiwesley.livejournal.com]

"Often what is said about us is not what history says, and doubtless, history will have it's say as it often does. And about that, I have done something, but not something that need concern you... but something."

[scalderwood.livejournal.com]

Olbermann reported on 10/10 that Bush hadn't signed it. But I found minor references in news stories that Bush signed it that day (but if he did, then it would've reached Olbermann in time to be reported). Here's the thing: if Bush didn't sign it with 10 days (as in Wednesday, Oct. 11) then it's what's called a pocket veto. The Constitution mandates the President signs or vetoes a bill within 10 days (excluding Sundays) of its passage by both houses. If the President doesn't, then it becomes law anyway. HOWEVER, if the Congress is in recess (which it is), then it technically vetoed and must be passed again by both houses.

The other murky bit is when it is considered passed by both houses - is it when the votes actually take place? Or is it when the Speaker and the Senate President sign the bill? And how long do they have after passage to do so? The Constitution doesn't specify any of these.

I read somewhere that the Speaker didn't sign the legislation as being passed until Friday 9/29 or Monday 10/2. If so then it gives the President to sign the bill anywhere from today to Saturday.

[billfl.livejournal.com]

It's a bit like the Fizzbin theory of governmental operations, isn't it?

[(Anonymous)]

I am unfamiliar with that theory. Could you elaborate?

[billfl.livejournal.com]

"Fizzbin" was a card game that Kirk made up on an episode of Star Trek. It's rules were complex and confusing, which gave Kirk & company time to overpower their guards and escape.

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

As it happens, this is similar to the way Kirk used to program computers.