Line Item Veto

The amendment I proposed for my paper was to give the President line item veto power over appropriations of money. I know there are weaknesses in that argument (the Supreme Court ruling a line item veto as unconstitutional). However, I do feel strongly about it, and with the economy the way it is I think that it is very important to have another form of checks and balances over the budget (whether it be a state or the national budget). As Representative Brady stated today, the State Assembly passed a budget that allocated more spending than the state had funds for. I definitely think the first step needs to be taken before the budget hits the governor or president's desk. However, when situations such as that happen, the President should have the power to veto items that he sees appropriate in order to decrease the budget. As I mention in my paper, 43 governors have some form of line item veto power and the President should have that same power.

I did not have such a strong feeling about this subject before I took this class. However, I have learned about how much frivolous spending goes on in this country and something needs to be done about it. I know that every representative wants to have the funds for projects in his or her district (or state), but if the money isn't there then the project needs to be cut from the budget. I really liked Representative Brady's statement that it isn't brain surgery - cuts need to be made and/or revenues need to be increased (and cuts should be made first).