Stearns Introduces Constitutional Amendment Giving President Line-Item Veto

STEARNS INTRODUCES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT GIVING PRESIDENT LINE-ITEM VETO

THE GOVERNORS OF 43 STATES USE LINE-ITEM VETO TO ELIMINATE WASTEFUL AND SPECIAL INTEREST FUNDING

WASHINGTON, FEB. 9, 2006 - "Over the previous 10 years, federal spending skyrocketed from $1.5 trillion in 1995 to $2.5 trillion in 2005, and the deficit for Fiscal Year 2006 is expected to be $337 billion," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL). "We need to employ every available tool in limiting the growth in spending, including one that works for 43 of the nation's governors, the line-item veto." In his recent State of the Union address, President Bush asked for the line-item veto.

Stearns has introduced H.J.Res. 77, a proposed Constitutional amendment providing the president with the line-item veto. Although the president was given the line-item veto in 1997, it was found unconstitutional in 1998, a ruling upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Courts ruled that the Constitution provides that the president may either sign a measure into law or veto it in its entirety. "We have amended the Constitution to set the voting age, to establish inauguration day, and to limit congressional payraises, we should pass an amendment giving the president the same time-honored authority to control spending as most governors possess," explained Stearns.

H.J.Res. 77 proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to authorize the president to reduce or disapprove any appropriation or authorization of new direct spending in any bill presented by Congress. This would open up the line-item veto beyond appropriations bills to all new spending bills such as foreign operations and farm bills. In addition, allowing the president to reduce an appropriation by line items or individual projects was not included in the 1996 line-item veto legislation, but it is a power used by 11 of the 43 governors with the line-item veto.

http://www.house.gov/stearns/PressReleases/PR2006Releases/pr-060209-LineItem.html