Statement on Signing the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2018
Issued 2018-10-25 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Trump signed into law the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2018, legislation aimed at preventing the financing of Hizballah. While signing the bill, the President issued a statement raising concerns about certain provisions he believed conflicted with his constitutional powers.
Specifically, the President objected to sections requiring him to deny entry to certain foreign nationals, arguing these provisions didn't provide sufficient exception for his constitutional responsibility to receive ambassadors. He also objected to a section he believed attempted to direct how he conducts negotiations with foreign governments or to require specific foreign policy actions.
The President stated his administration supports the diplomatic initiatives described in the law but would treat these provisions in a manner consistent with what he views as the President's exclusive constitutional authorities in foreign relations. This type of statement—issued when signing a bill into law—allows a president to express constitutional or policy objections to specific parts of legislation while still enacting the overall law.
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Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This signing statement ("Statement on Signing the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2018") was issued alongside a bill the President signed into law. 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 Donald J. Trump, 2018 Statement on Signing the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2018 October 25, 2018 Today, I have signed into law S. 1595, the "Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2018" (the "Act"). Sections 101 and 201 purport to require the President to deny certain aliens entry into the United States, without a sufficient exception for the exercise of the President's responsibility to receive ambassadors under Article II, section 3 of the Constitution. Section 104 purports to direct negotiations with foreign governments or to require the Executive to adopt a particular foreign policy. My Administration supports the diplomatic initiatives described in the Act but will treat these provisions in a manner consistent with the President's exclusive constitutional authorities in the area of foreign relations. D ONALD J. T RUMP The White House, October 25, 2018. N OTE : S. 1595, approved October 25, was assigned Public Law No. 115–272. The statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on October 26