Define: Line Item Veto

A line item veto is a power granted to the executive branch of government to selectively veto specific provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire bill.

The line item veto is primarily used in the United States, where it is granted to the President in some states and was briefly granted to the President at the federal level before being declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court declared the line item veto unconstitutional in 1998 because it violated the Presentment Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which requires the President to either sign or veto an entire bill.

Yes, some states in the United States have granted their governors the power of a line item veto. However, the constitutionality of state-level line item vetoes may vary depending on the specific state’s constitution.

Proponents argue that a line item veto allows the executive to eliminate unnecessary or wasteful spending from a bill, promoting fiscal responsibility and reducing government waste.

Critics argue that a line item veto can give too much power to the executive, potentially undermining the separation of powers and the legislative process. It may also lead to political favoritism or the removal of important provisions from a bill.

To reintroduce the line item veto at the federal level in the United States, a constitutional amendment would be required. This would involve a lengthy and complex process, requiring approval from both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Yes, there are alternative mechanisms to control spending and eliminate wasteful provisions in bills. These include the use of executive orders, budgetary constraints, and oversight by legislative committees.

If a line item veto is granted and used at the state level, its constitutionality can be challenged in court. The outcome would depend on the specific state’s constitution and the arguments presented by both sides.

While the line item veto is primarily associated with the United States, there may be discussions or proposals in other countries to introduce a similar mechanism. However, the adoption of a line item veto would depend on the specific legal and political context of each country.