Whether the President May Sign a Bill by Directing That His Signature Be Affixed to It

Whether the President May Sign a Bill by Directing That His Signature Be Affixed to It The President need not personally perform the physical act of affixing his signature to a bill he approves and decides to sign in order for the bill to become law. Rather, the President may sign a bill within the meaning of Article I, Section 7 by directing a subordinate to affix the President’s signature to such a bill, for example by autopen. July 7, 2005 MEMORANDUM OPINION FOR THE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT You have asked whether, having decided to approve a bill, the President may sign it, within the…