July 18, 1984
I am today signing H.R. 4170. In signing this important legislation, I must vigorously object to
certain provisions that would unconstitutionally attempt to delegate to the Comptroller General of
the United States, an officer of Congress, the power to perform duties and responsibilities that in
our constitutional system may be performed only by officials of the executive branch. This
administration's position on the unconstitutionality of these provisions was clearly articulated to
Congress by the Department of Justice on April 20, 1984. I am instructing the Attorney General
to inform all executive branch agencies as soon as possible with respect to how they may comply
with the provisions of this bill in a manner consistent with the Constitution.
Note: As enacted, H.R. 4170 is Public Law 98 - 369, approved July 18.