More Info on Rep. Paul Ryan’s Line Item Veto Legislation
Here are some excerpts from a factsheet on Rep. Ryan’s proposed legislation. For a list of the 110 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, click hereÂÂ
State of the Union
- In his State of the Union Address, the President asked Congress to give him the Line Item Veto.
- On March 6, President Bush transmitted legislation to Congress that would give him a constitutional Line Item Veto.
- His legislation enjoys 29 cosponsors in the Senate and 108 in the House.
Background and Need for the Legislation
- Line Item Veto enjoys bipartisan support
- President Clinton used the Line Item Veto 82 times, but the Supreme Court found that law unconstitutional in 1998.
- Since the Line Item Veto was struck down, earmarks have increased dramatically.
- Governors in 43 states have a Line Item Veto.
What the Legislation Does: “Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006â€Â
- Provides the President with the authority to propose the elimination of spending earmarks (discretionary and direct) and narrow special-interest tax breaks included in broader legislation that arrives at his desk for signature. ÂÂ
- Preserves Congress’ power of the purse under the U.S. Constitution by requiring an up-or-down vote in both chambers under an expedited process in order to effectuate the President’s proposed rescissions
The Process
- The President identifies wasteful discretionary spending, direct spending, or a special-interest tax break in legislation that is being signed into law.
- Within 45 days, the President may submit a limited number of special messages to Congress, asking for the cancellation of a spending item or items.
- House and Senate leadership have five days to introduce the President’s rescission request.
- The rescission bill is referred to the appropriate committee, which has seven days to report the bill without amendment.
- Following committee action, any Member of Congress can force a vote of the full House or Senate within two days.
- If the House and Senate pass the President’s rescission proposal, it is sent to the President for signature and becomes law. If a simple majority of either house votes against it, the rescission is not enacted.