Line-item veto

Definition

The line-item veto is a special type of veto that allows an executive, such as the President, to reject specific provisions or items within a bill without vetoing the entire legislation. This tool provides the executive with greater control over the budget and spending decisions, potentially allowing for more targeted fiscal management and a way to eliminate wasteful spending in appropriations bills.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The line-item veto was first granted to U.S. Presidents in 1996 through the Line Item Veto Act, but was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1998.
2. This veto power is particularly useful for managing appropriations bills, as it allows the President to cut specific funding allocations without rejecting the entire budget.
3. Some state governors have line-item veto authority, which allows them to make specific cuts to state budgets, demonstrating how this concept can vary at different government levels.
4. The line-item veto could encourage more accountability in government spending by allowing the executive to target wasteful projects without having to discard entire bills.
5. Since the line-item veto is not currently available at the federal level, any potential future use would require new legislation or constitutional amendment.

Review Questions

• How does the line-item veto enhance an executive's ability to manage budgetary concerns compared to a regular veto?
  • The line-item veto allows an executive to selectively eliminate specific provisions from appropriations bills without having to reject the entire bill. This gives the executive greater flexibility and control over budgetary matters, allowing them to address concerns about unnecessary or wasteful spending while still approving essential funding. By being able to target specific expenditures, an executive can work towards more efficient fiscal management.
• Discuss why the Supreme Court ruled the line-item veto unconstitutional and its implications for presidential power.
  • The Supreme Court ruled the line-item veto unconstitutional because it violated the Presentment Clause of the Constitution, which requires that all bills be either approved or rejected in their entirety by the President. This ruling reaffirmed that Congress holds the power of appropriations and limited the executive's ability to unilaterally alter legislation. The decision underscored the importance of maintaining checks and balances between branches of government, ensuring that one branch cannot assume powers reserved for another.
• Evaluate how the absence of a federal line-item veto affects budget negotiations between Congress and the President.
  • Without a federal line-item veto, budget negotiations between Congress and the President can become more contentious as both sides must agree on comprehensive spending packages. This lack of targeted veto power may lead to increased partisan conflict during budget discussions, with each side attempting to protect their priorities. It also means that wasteful or controversial spending may remain in bills if they contain popular provisions that both sides wish to keep, potentially resulting in less efficient allocation of taxpayer funds.

Related terms

veto: A constitutional right of the executive to reject a decision or proposal made by the legislature, which can be overridden by a supermajority vote.

appropriations bill: A legislative motion that authorizes government spending for specific programs or activities, which can be affected by the line-item veto.

Congressional override: The process by which Congress can reverse a presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.