Why is Bush seeking something that has been declared unconstitutional?

Question

He seeks line-item veto power.

"Congress granted President Clinton a form of the line-item veto, but the Supreme Court struck it down, saying it was violated the Constitution's separation of powers."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/03/bush/index.html

Answer 1

The only way he can have it is via a Constitutional amendment, not just a crummy federal statute.

Here's the thing, though. His own party didn't think it was important enough to give to him. Republicans controlled both houses of Congress for six years of Bush's presidency, and nobody on the Hill said, "Hey, let's amend the Constitutution and give old George a line item veto." Now just before the Democratic Congress takes over, he asks. Hmm.

Answer 2

The line item veto power that Clinton was granted is not the same as the one Bush was granted - if Bush vetos a particular item, it merely has to be re-affirmed by a majority vote.


In other words, the newer, "watered down" version is an attempt to cut down on pork barrel spending....by making Congressmen pass specific items.

Like when bridges to nowhere in Alaska were included in an education bill.



I'm no fan of Bush's, but I do think that this has the potential to greatly reduce wasteful spending by the government.

Answer 3

Do you Democrats even know what goes on in the Congress and the Senate? They will add things onto a bill that was never intended forcing a President to veto the whole bill, so the President looks bad to the American public. That's why the President needs line item Veto power back.

Did you also forget that the President used to have that power? I think it was Nixon that decided it was too much power for the President to have.

So why don't you do some research before you spout off about something being unconstitutional.

Oh so your saying it's Okay for Congress to add Pork Belly Projects to a bill? Or don't you believe that happens. If you don't believe it you have your head in the sand, thinking Congress is infallible.

Answer 4

To be honest here, Clinton was no different. Seriously.

Clinton got it from the Republican Congress from 1996 to 1998. The thing is that the Republicans had the house and senate so there was a "safety" so to speak to keep Democrat leaders from abusing the power. The supreme court was right in taking it away.

What Bush is asking for seems ludicris to me, howerver, as long as there are is not one party in power, temporary line item veto is not such a bad idea.

Tax, unfortunately is not the answer unless everyone gets taxed. Even then the middle and lower class will get double taxed per say. They will feel it on their paycheck and then again on the economy when retailers raise prices to offset the tax.

Good luck with this one. While I am in support for finnishing the job in Iraq, when the war ends, we will see a relief on the moneys spent.

Answer 5

EVERY President seeks line-item veto power. Each Congress and each Supreme Court needs to redefine the constitutionality of it.

Answer 6

Its funny how people would be angry about this... The power to line-veto would prevent politicians from benefiting on unrelated legislation to which they have padded with their own agenda. Another words , lets say there was a bill for breast cancer research on the floor , most would want to pass this legislation , so some greedy politician who owes the tobacco company ( or in some way benefits from said company ) adds a line that says .. the tobacco company can add 28% more nicotine to its product without changing the label----- Well with line-item veto the President could veto that particular request.. NOW PLEASE SOMEONE tell me what is wrong with this ?????????

Answer 7

The key is that 'congress granted' phrase. Congress granting equals a law. What Bush is asking for is a Constitutional Amendment, something very different from a law, and much more permanent. He'll never get it, though, because the requirements for making constitutional amendments are very far from his reach!

Answer 8

The line-item veto itself wasn't ruled unConstitutional, just the version that was passed under Clinton. Read the article carefully.

Answer 9

Bush thinks that he is king of America and can do whatever he wants to do. He also forgets that he took an oath to support and defend the Constitution.

Answer 10

Yawn.


That Bush hate thing? It's getting a bit old.

Answer 11

Bush has been raping the Constitution for six years, and we think he's going to stop now? Congress is going to have to put the screws to this President to stop him from being the dictator he thinks he has a right to be. Does anyone EVER remind him that he's an elected official and not a King? I suppose not, but I trust that Congress is going to remind him, and often.