Line-item veto

Definition

The line-item veto is the power of an executive authority to selectively cancel specific provisions or items within a bill without rejecting the entire legislation. This ability allows the president or a governor to eliminate particular expenditures or tax breaks while signing the rest of the bill into law, thereby enabling a more precise control over budgetary decisions and legislative spending.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The line-item veto was first used by President Bill Clinton in 1996 after Congress passed a law allowing it, but it was later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1998.
2. The Supreme Court's ruling stated that the line-item veto violated the Presentment Clause of the Constitution, which requires that legislation be approved or rejected in its entirety.
3. Some state governors have the authority to exercise line-item vetoes, allowing them to reject specific budgetary items in appropriations bills.
4. The line-item veto can enhance executive power by allowing more precise financial control, but it can also lead to concerns about potential misuse or overreach by the executive.
5. Efforts to reintroduce a federal line-item veto have been discussed, but none have successfully passed both houses of Congress and received presidential approval.

Review Questions

• How does the line-item veto differ from a traditional veto in terms of legislative control?
  • The line-item veto differs from a traditional veto as it allows an executive to reject specific parts of a bill while approving others, rather than rejecting the entire piece of legislation. This selective power gives executives, such as governors or presidents, more control over budgetary matters and enables them to eliminate unwanted expenditures without discarding an entire bill. In contrast, a traditional veto means that all components of a bill must either be approved together or rejected entirely, limiting the executive's ability to target specific issues.
• What were the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling against the federal line-item veto in 1998?
  • The Supreme Court's ruling against the federal line-item veto in 1998 had significant implications for presidential power and legislative processes. By declaring it unconstitutional, the Court reinforced the notion that any changes to how legislation is presented to Congress must adhere strictly to constitutional requirements. This decision curtailed the executive's ability to unilaterally manage budgetary priorities through selective elimination of bill provisions, thereby ensuring that Congress retains ultimate authority over budget decisions.
• Evaluate how state-level line-item veto powers can influence governance compared to federal practices, especially in terms of fiscal responsibility.
  • State-level line-item veto powers can greatly influence governance by enabling governors to exercise fiscal responsibility more effectively than at the federal level. Governors with this authority can eliminate specific funding items they deem unnecessary or excessive, which can lead to more efficient use of taxpayer dollars and reduce wasteful spending. This contrasts with federal practices, where any expenditure must be approved in totality, potentially leading to large appropriations containing both essential and non-essential items. As states grapple with budget constraints and demand for accountability, having this tool empowers state executives to act decisively on fiscal matters.

Related terms

veto: The constitutional right of the president or a governor to reject a decision or proposal made by the legislature, preventing it from becoming law.

budgetary power: The authority of the president or executive branch to influence government spending and fiscal policy through the preparation and execution of the budget.

pocket veto: A type of veto that occurs when the president takes no action on a bill for ten days while Congress is adjourned, effectively preventing it from becoming law without an official veto.