Statement on Signing the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014
Issued 2014-03-06 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama signed a bipartisan bill that continues funding for the National Integrated Drought Information System. This system provides drought forecasts and warning information to help communities prepare for and respond to drought conditions. The law keeps the federal government operating a program that states, cities, towns, farmers, and businesses use to make decisions about water use, crop planting, wildfire response, and other critical matters.
The action affects communities across the country that face drought risk, particularly Western states experiencing severe drought conditions at the time, including California. People and organizations that rely on federal drought data and forecasting tools to plan their activities continue to have access to this information under the reauthorized program.
This matters because it maintains a federal service that helps Americans prepare for droughts before they strike and respond more effectively when they occur. According to the President's statement, climate change is increasing the intensity of weather disasters like droughts, making access to updated drought science and forecasting tools increasingly important for communities trying to prevent the worst impacts on families and businesses.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This signing statement ("Statement on Signing the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014") was issued alongside a bill the President signed into law. The President's stated concerns: "This bipartisan legislation ensures that the Federal Government can continue to provide timely, effective drought warning forecasts and vital support to communities that are vulnerable to drought." Signing statements allow presidents to express constitutional or policy objections to specific provisions of legislation they have just signed. Their legal weight and constitutional propriety have been contested since the practice became common in the 1980s.
Critics — including the American Bar Association — argue that using signing statements to announce an intent to not enforce portions of a law effectively creates a line-item veto, which the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in Clinton v. City of New York (1998). Defenders argue presidents have a duty to identify constitutional concerns and that signing statements are a legitimate form of executive interpretation. The constitutional propriety depends on whether this specific statement announces non-enforcement or merely records the President's views.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2014 Statement on Signing the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014 March 6, 2014 Today I signed the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act into law. This bipartisan legislation ensures that the Federal Government can continue to provide timely, effective drought warning forecasts and vital support to communities that are vulnerable to drought. States, cities, towns, farmers, and businesses rely on tools and data from the National Integrated Drought Information System to make informed decisions about water use, crop planting, wildfire response, and other critical areas. As climate change increases the intensity of weather-related disasters such as droughts, wildfires, storms, and floods, providing access to updated drought-related science and tools is growing even more important. Currently, a number of Western States are facing drought conditions, including a severe drought in California, and my administration is pursuing every measure to provide relief and support in partnership with States. To complement the National Integrated Drought Information System, as part of my climate action plan, Federal agencies have also formed a National