government docs in the news: more on signing statements

A month ago, the President signed H.R. 6407 into law, otherwise known as the The Postal Enhancement and Accountability Act. According to an article in the Washington Post (1/5/07), Bush's signing statement (which have already come under scrutiny) hints to the idea that this Bill will allow the reading of personal mail without a search warrant. The key phrase in question:

"... which provides for opening of an item of a class of mail otherwise sealed against inspection, in a manner consistent, to the maximum extent permissible, with the need to conduct searches in exigent circumstances, such as to protect human life and safety against hazardous materials, and the need for physical searches specifically authorized by law for foreign intelligence collection."

While the original law does provide for circumstances which may involve explosives or powdery substances that may, in fact, harm human life, that last part might need to be unpacked a bit.