Line Item veto essays

Line Item veto essays When the House passed the Line Item Veto legislation, in a strong bipartisan vote of 294-134, it took great strides toward assuring the American people that the purpose of government is to serve the needs of all Americans. It also indicated its intention to seriously address the budgetary problems created by forty years of elitist pork barrel arrogance by the majority party in Congress. Congressional approval will also take away a sinister political weapon, designed to distort the images presented to the people. Without the Line Item Veto the President was forced to either accept or reject any legislative proposal as it was written. Congress learned the trick of tacking on extra money for special projects, ones that usually helped fellow Representatives or Senators get reelected. In more blatant times they have actually increased Congressional salaries. In the article one example is cited by Rep. Joe Knollenberg of Michigan. Added to a bill to provide California ! earthquake relief last year was $10 Million for a train station in New York and funds for sugar cane growers in Hawaii. The public is seldom aware of this extra spending. Without the Line Item Veto the President must either sign or veto the bill with the pork attached. This ploy thus becomes a political weapon. If the President vetoes it his opponents can accuse him of not wanting to help Americans in need. U.S. Presidents since Ulysses S. Grant have all called for the Line Item Veto. In the article the new Speaker of The House was quoted as saying President after president has said it was something that would be good for America because it would allow the president to cut out some of the worst in spending. Opposition to the Line Item Veto argues it would tip the balance of power too heavily toward the White House. Another point postulated by those concerned suggest the President could use this power to favor one politician over another by s ...