A new government study has revealed that federal officials have disobeyed several new laws that President Bush challenged by issuing signing statements. According to The Boston Globe, the report provides the first evidence that the government may have acted on claims by Bush that he can set aside laws under his executive powers. President Bush has used signing statements to challenge more than 1,100 sections of bills — more than all previous presidents combined. Virginia Sloan, of the Constitution Project, condemned the president’s use of signing statements. Sloan said: “This report should put to rest any doubts as to the real impact of signing statements. The Constitution does not bestow upon the president the power to simply ignore portions of laws he doesn’t like.” The congressional study did not cover any of President Bush’s most controversial claims such as his assertion that he can set aside a torture ban and new oversight provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act because he is the commander-in-chief.