6.21.06
Press Release
Spratt Acts On Pelosi Marching Orders - Abandons Key Policy Initiative To Move Up Liberal Political Ladder
Rock Hill, SC - Rep. John Spratt abandoned his proposal for a limited presidential line-item veto at the orders of San-Francisco liberal Nancy Pelosi (D, CA-08). Spratt, claiming the mantle of "fiscal conservative" has historically supported a presidential line-item veto as a means to cut government waste, but, apparently, partisan politics and his choice for House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi changed his mind.
In 1996, U.S. Rep. John Spratt was one of only four Congressmen present at the White House when President Bill Clinton signed the Presidential Line-Item Veto into law (H.R. 3136, Roll Call Vote # 102; Passed 328-91; R 201-30; D 127-60; I 0-1, 3/28/1996). President Clinton, along with John Spratt, characterized the legislation as necessary to "permit presidents to better represent the public interest by cutting waste, protecting taxpayers and balancing the budget."[1]
Ten years later, House Republicans have once again introduced line-item veto legislation in order to control pork spending and soaring deficits. But Rep. Spratt, earlier a staunch proponent of the legislation, is singing a different tune, and it sounds eerily similar to that of ultra-liberal House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
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Spratt now claims to oppose a line-item veto because it would tip the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches in an unfavorable manner, and instead has proposed giving the president rescission power in appropriation bills, which amounts to nothing more than suggestions to Congress and does little to weed out wasteful spending. If Spratt is concerned about giving the president too much power, why did he vote in favor of a line-item veto in 1995 and 1996 which gave the president far greater power than the current proposal he is opposing?
"The presidential line-item veto is absolutely necessary if we want to get our finances in order up in Washington," said State Rep. and GOP candidate Ralph Norman. "Pork barrel projects and out of control spending from both sides of the aisle are killing our country. In Congress, I will fight against wasteful spending and stand up for South Carolina taxpayers, not political party leadership."
http://www.ralphnorman.com/news/0017.htm