What is the legal significance of a presidential signing statement? For example, (excerpt from draft of article I'm working on)

Bush writes, "Although the advance notice contemplated by sections 8007, 8011, and 8093 can be provided in most situations as a matter of comity …"

Section 8007 reads, "Funds appropriated by this Act may not be used to initiate a special access program without prior notification 30 calendar days in session in advance to the congressional defense committees."

"This is not the language of "contemplation." The Act the President signed into law states specifically that these funds may not be used without prior notification."

(snip)

"Bush concludes this paragraph by stating, "The executive branch shall construe these sections in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the President." This is a clear assertion that he does not consider himself bound by the language of the Act to provide advance notice in certain situations."

The question is this: Is this simply considered commentary? Or does it mean that the bill is signed into law except for the parts the president doesn't agree with?

If he should decide not to provide advance notice as stipulated in the clauses of the act he just signed into law, will he be held accountable according to that which was agreed upon in congressional review? Or does his signing statement exempt him from that?

Sorry this is such a long and possibly complex question.

Thanks!