[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 22 (Friday, February 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     LINE-ITEM VETO IS LONG OVERDUE

  (Mr. WELLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, Christmas might come just once a year to 
most people in the country, but up here in Washington, land of plenty, 
the legislative Christmas tree shines all year long. Why? Because 
Congress for years has been practicing pork barrel politics.
  In the past, Members have been able to hang their own little 
ornaments on appropriation bills, best known as Christmas trees which 
resulted in huge payoffs to someone back in their district. 
Unfortunately these ornaments cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions 
of dollars while only benefiting a select few.
  But with the passage of a line-item veto, we are finally going to 
give the President of the United States the same power to remove these 
costly ornaments. Line-item veto will allow the President to enjoy the 
same authority as 43 Governors including my own Governor in Illinois, 
already practice. With line-item veto, we will end the long reign of 
pork barrel politics. This bill is long overdue.

                          ____________________