Bush Administration, GOP, and Conservatives try to revive Unconstitutional Line-Item Veto

[ck4829]

Beware the Line-Item Veto (Conservative Voice)

It has been widely reported in the mainstream press that President Bush will be making a big push for the “line-item veto” in his next state of the union address. On first glance, it may seem like a good idea. A recurring problem throughout the Bush presidency has been the exorbitant “pork barrel spending”, (attaching unrelated and often times ridiculous expenditures to otherwise relevant legislation) by congressional and senatorial Republicans and Democrats. Because Republicans have often been worse offenders than Democrats in terms of wasteful government spending was a significant contributor, among many others, to the disillusioning of Republican voters in the last elections that resulted in the loss of both the house and senate for the Republican Party.

The “line-item veto”, in the eyes of the president, is a sure fire way to make sure that he can eliminate these costly “riders” from the bills that make it to his desk. The president undoubtedly believes that had he previously had this “tool” at his disposal, he would have been able to limit government spending, and perhaps the Republicans would not have been so thoroughly defeated in the last election. He is probably right. But is the fact that he is right necessarily right for our country’s future?

The “line-item veto” would certainly enable the president to eliminate much of the “pork barrel spending” that has been running rampant during his presidency, and allow him to place a “Republican stamp” on the elimination of such spending, making major gains in restoring the credibility of Republicans as the party of “fiscal responsibility” and “small government”. This could help the republicans undercut the democrats on an issue where they have, surprisingly, made some real progress in recent years. Additionally, it could be a useful tool towards regaining the house, senate, and retaining a Republican presidency in the 2008 elections.

However, the potential negative consequences of granting the office of the president with the “line-item veto” could quite possibly outweigh whatever short-term advantages Republicans would enjoy through its introduction. Republicans must be careful what they wish for: one thing they must consider is that eventually there will be another Democrat president. Citizens on both sides of the political spectrum should fear the prospect of a president from the opposing party able to wield the power to eliminate funding, based on their own political machinations and agendas, for programs and institutions that they hold near and dear.

http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/21832.html

Gregg, DeMint plan to revive presidential line-item veto bid

A conservative perennial is back in season in the Senate, as GOP Sens. Judd Gregg (N.H.) and Jim DeMint (S.C.) plan a bid to restore the presidential line-item veto as part of the lobbying and ethics bill on the floor this week.

While Democrats underline their commitment to reform by touting gift and travel bans, Gregg and DeMint aim to repair their party’s bruised reputation for fiscal responsibility by billing line-item as a means to clamp down on earmarks. The House last year passed a line-item measure similar to the Senate amendment with 35 Democratic votes, but lingering concerns about the constitutionality of line-item make this week’s effort an uphill battle.

“The big mistake Republicans made is, we did not change the system that was handed to us and it just got out of control,” DeMint said in an interview, describing the climate that led to the GOP’s Election Day thumping. He predicted that some Republican appropriators would support line-item despite the public dust-up between Senate conservatives and members of the spending panel late last year. “The problem is not just the appropriators; it’s the system,” the senator added.

“Line-item is the title being put on this, but what it amounts to is a targeted rescission, where items in big bills that are buried there can be brought into the light of day,” Gregg said in an interview.

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/010907/gregg.html

I guess they figure since they can't get that minority bill of rights that they rejected us from having, now they want to give Bush some leverage over us instead.

[ShortnFiery]

1. It ain't gonna happen - at least within the next couple of years.

Those boys and girls need a reality check. :P

[bbernardini]

2. Sure, as soon as they give us line-item taxation.

:)

[seafan]

3. He is using his *signing statements* as a line item veto now.

He just wants to make it retroactive and all legal now, don'tcha know.

I don't think so.

[BigNeeravT]

4. Unconstitutional

That is the only way I see it. ANd by the way, we better pass a law making his siggning statements the same.