Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter introduced legislation on Wednesday to challenge President George W. Bush’s assertion that he can bypass sections of bills that he signs into law.

The Judiciary Committee Chairman’s bill would empower Congress to file lawsuits in federal court to test the constitutionality of Bush’s signing statements, in which Bush has reserved the right not to enforce certain provisions of laws he believes impinge on his authority or interpretation of the Constitution.

“This bill simply seeks to safeguard our Constitution,” Specter said.

Under Specter’s bill, courts would be told they cannot rely on signing statements in interpreting federal laws.

An American Bar Association task force issued a report Monday saying Bush has flouted the Constitution by issuing more than 800 challenges to provisions of laws he has signed - more than all other U.S. presidents combined.

Bush signed a bill banning the torture of U.S.-held prisoners, for example, but used a signing statement to signal that he might bypass the ban. So when is torture not torture? Bush has also ignored provisions in an anti-terrorism law seeking more congressional oversight, and rejected a requirement that government scientists transmit findings to Congress uncensored.

The legislation is expected to have broad support among Democrats, who have accused Bush of a power grab, although Republicans have voiced objections.

Reuters: Specter Proposes Challenge of Bush’s Power on Laws

While a Republican majority in both houses of Congress might fail to pass Specter’s law, Democrats might very well use the issue in the November mid-term elections to show the American people we have a president who thinks he is above the law. Either we are a nation of laws and everyone is subject to them, including the president, or the radical extremists who called Americans “infadels” just might have a point.

If you are ever inclined to call or write your Congressman and urge him or her to do anything, you might suggest supporting Specter’s bill. We say it should pass overwhelmingly. Any lawyer in Congress who opposes it should be disbarred.

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