Obama signs Ted Cruz bill into law barring Iran's UN representative, but says it's only "advisory."

Obama signs Ted Cruz bill into law barring Iran's UN representative, but says it's only "advisory.".HT: IsraelMatzav.(WE).

On Friday, President Hussein Obama signed into law a bill proposed by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tx) that would prevent Iran from sending one of the former kidnappers at the US Embassy in Tehran to the US as ambassador to the United Nations. But Obama also announced that he would never enforce the law.

Obama decided to treat the law as mere advice. "Acts of espionage and terrorism against the United States and our allies are unquestionably problems of the utmost gravity, and I share the Congress's concern that individuals who have engaged in such activity may use the cover of diplomacy to gain access to our Nation," Obama said in his signing statement.

"Nevertheless, as President [George H.W.] Bush also observed, "curtailing by statute my constitutional discretion to receive or reject ambassadors is neither a permissible nor a practical solution." I shall therefore continue to treat section 407, as originally enacted and as amended by S. 2195, as advisory in circumstances in which it would interfere with the exercise of this discretion."

Obama frequently criticized President George W. Bush for such signing statements during his 2008 campaign. “Congress's job is to pass legislation," he said, as The Daily Beast recalled. "The president can veto it or he can sign it.” 

Carl in Jerusalem is betting that  Abutalebi will be admitted to the United States by the time the General Assembly rolls around at the end of September.I believe he's right.