Bush Allows Flag Law, Won’t Sign It

President Bush said today he will allow a newly approved ban on flag burning to become law without his signature, but “I don’t think it’s enough.” He vowed to continue pressing for a constitutional amendment.

During an appearance in the White House briefing room, the President said he is withholding his signature from the legislation “to signal our belief that a constitutional amendment is the best way to provide lasting protection for the flag.”

When Congress is in session, legislation can become law automatically if the President does not act on it within 10 working days of when it is sent to the White House. After Congress has adjourned, a President can pocket-veto bills by refusing to sign them.

“I believe the American flag is a unique and special symbol of our nation and it should be protected from desecration, and our Administration has proposed a constitutional amendment to protect the flag,” Bush said in his statement.

He proposed the amendment after the Supreme Court ruled last June that flag burning is a constitutionally protected form of free speech.

The court ruling brought a flood of calls for an amendment to the Constitution, but after the initial response many members of Congress including the Democratic leadership began looking for a way to deal with the problem through legislation rather than changing the Constitution.

When asked if he were concerned about the political consequences of vetoing flag-burning legislation in the light of his attacks on Democrat Michael S. Dukakis in the 1988 presidential campaign, Bush denied that was a consideration in his decision.

During the campaign, Bush and his supporters repeatedly attacked Dukakis, the governor of Massachusetts, for vetoing legislation that would have required public schoolteachers in the state to lead pupils in daily recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance.

On another subject, the President said he is seeking a way to avoid vetoing legislation that would permit federal funding for abortions in cases of rape or incest.

The White House had said Wednesday that the measure was “unacceptable” and that senior advisers were urging a veto, but Bush answered cryptically when asked today if he will veto the bill.

Bush, who opposes federal funding for abortion, said he understood the Senate and House might yet negotiate changes in the bill’s language that “may avoid the need for a veto on this.”

“We’ll see what we can do . . . to see if there is room for flexibility,” he added.

“I’m not looking for any conflict on this (but) I’ve not changed my position (against federal funding for abortion),” he said when pressed further.

Current law allows federal funding for abortion only when the mother’s life is threatened. The House voted 216 to 206 Wednesday to back a Senate measure that would expand federal funding. Another Senate vote is required, but there is little doubt that it will be approved.