Another Possible Excellent Giant Step

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) this month endorsed President Bush’s proposal for a line-item veto that would give the president the power to strike specific earmarks from appropriations and tax bills.  Ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1998, the most recent law to provide a line-item veto allowed the president to cancel specific spending items and certain tax benefits from the final versions of legislation.  Congress could reinstate the items with a two-thirds vote.  Then-President Bill Clinton vetoed 82 items, saving $2 billion over five years.  Under the Bush Administration’s proposal, Congress would accept or reject the president’s proposed rescissions with a simple majority vote.  “With a line-item veto, the president could help get special-interest and pork-barrel spending under control,” CCAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “The line-item veto would add an important check to a budget process that is tainted by waste, abuse, and favoritism.” 

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