Line-Item Veto Draws Sen. Byrd's Scorn ["an offensive slap at Congress."......]

Yahoo ^

[Sub-Driver]

By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer 27 minutes ago

A proposal to restore a scaled-back version of the line-item veto authority for presidents drew withering scorn Tuesday from the dean of the Senate, who called it "an offensive slap at Congress."

But the White House defended the idea as a way for President Bush to weed wasteful spending from appropriations bills that he has little choice but to sign.

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (news, bio, voting record) of West Virginia led the Democratic assault on Bush's so-called legislative line-item veto, saying it would shift too much of Congress' cherished constitutional power of the purse to the executive branch while giving president a new club with which to threaten lawmakers.

Under the traditional line-item veto, presidents get to strike individual items from a bill without having to veto the entire measure.

An earlier, stronger version of the line-item veto passed in 1996 under the new Republican majority in Congress, but the Supreme Court declared the law unconstitutional two years later because it allowed the president to single-handedly change laws passed by Congress.

Bush is now pressing for a modified, weaker version. Instead of being able to strike items from bills, he would send one or more items back to Congress for an up-or-down vote.

Present law permits Congress to ignore these proposed rescissions, but under the Bush proposal. lawmakers would have to vote on them. If majorities in both the House and the Senate agreed with the president, the cuts would take effect.

[Dixie Yooper]

Why would the biggest pork-barrelin, ear-markin, KKK robe wearing senator that ever walked the halls of congress have a problem with line item veto power?

[VRWCmember]

A proposal to restore a scaled-back version of the line-item veto authority for presidents drew withering scorn Tuesday from the dean of the Senate, who called it "an offensive slap at Congress."

Byrd, with his pork projects, is an offensive slap at the budgetary process.

[kerryusama04]

I used to favor the line item veto, but with Presidente Bush asking for "comprehensive" immigration reform, I am changing my mind.

[kenth]

Your WSJ link automatically votes Yes for the people who click it to get to the poll. Did you do that on purpose?

Here's a link to the poll pre-vote.

http://discussions.wsj.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=wsjvoices&nav=messages&msg=3877

[Doogle]

..and then he calmly unfolded his sheet and paraded around the room, occasionally wiping drool from his now pucker mouth, so very proud of himself
Do yourself a favor Senator, go slap Cynthia McKinney across the butt, just for old times sake.


Doogle

[Doogle]

..and then he calmly unfolded his sheet and paraded around the room, occasionally wiping drool from his now pucker mouth, so very proud of himself
Do yourself a favor Senator, go slap Cynthia McKinney across the butt, just for old times sake.


Doogle

[kenth]

Sorry Sub-Driver, that post was supposed to be on another thread. LOL. I think that's the first time I've ever done that. I know it won't be the last.

[ravingnutter]

It's about time somebody slapped them, not that it will do any good.

[DTogo]

Yes, better Congress be given an offensive kick in the backside instead!

[WideGlide]

Wasn't the Senator for it before he was agin' it? Oh, my bad. That was Effinkerry not Byrd.

[macamadamia]

an offensive slap



As opposed to what?

Oh that's right. The clucking Kluxer is known for making weird distinctions......like white n***er and black n***er.



(Maybe he's one of those spank-freaks....just sayin' is all.)

[trebb]

I used to favor the line item veto, but with Presidente Bush asking for "comprehensive" immigration reform, I am changing my mind.

???????

[Dixie Yooper]

I would like to see line item veto power for any Republican President, and make it against the law for any democrat President to sign anything.

[maine-iac7]

Yep -you stick to one issue only routine - never mind how much good this do.

My way or the highway...

[maine-iac7]

I would like to see line item veto power for any Republican President, and make it against the law for any democrat President to sign anything.

sounds right to me

[kerryusama04]

Now that I read the whole thing, I guess that doesn't make any sense. Sending individual line items back for an up or down vote is a very good thing. Woops. That'll teach me the FReep while working. Well, maybe not.

[paddles]

Can't think of a group that needs an offensive slap more than the U.S. Senate.

...followed up by a good, healthy, bitch-slap.

[Dixie Yooper]

It would be a shame if he doesn't get the federal government to pay for a 200 foot high statue of himself to be set on West Virgina's highest mountain. His greatest gift of all to his constituents.

[macamadamia]

line item veto.......you bet




democrat President.........sh-sh-shiver!