Which of the following statements about signing statements is most accurate?
A) The Constitution requires that the president explain his interpretation of every law he signs by issuing a signing statement.
B) Although signing statements were commonly used prior to 1900, no modern president has issued them when signing a piece of legislation into law.
C) Signing statements never instruct executive agencies whether to implement sections of a new law and never interpret ambiguous provisions of the law.
D) While presidents have made signing statements throughout American history, they have only recently been recorded and made part of the official legislative record.
E) Signing statements were invented during the Reagan administration as a way for the president to circumvent the federal court system.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While presidents have made signing statements throughout American history, it wasn't until recent decades that they were recorded and made part of the official legislative record. The other options are incorrect: A is false as the Constitution does not require signing statements, B is false as modern presidents have issued signing statements, C is false as signing statements often instruct executive agencies and interpret ambiguous provisions, and E is false as signing statements predate the Reagan administration.

Which of the Following Statements About Signing Statements Is Most