[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 22 (Friday, February 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H1164-H1165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          THE LINE-ITEM VETO--A NEW TOOL TO FIGHT THE DEFICIT

  (Mr. HEFLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, every year someone invents a new term for 
the line-item veto. We have had enhanced rescission authority, we have 
had impoundment control, we have had expedited rescission, and other 
names too numerous to list. But while the names have changed, there is 
one factor that has remained the same. That is that the big spenders in 
Congress have always been opposed. That is because the big spenders 
know that the line-item veto by any name means less 
[[Page H1165]] spending and more cuts. It gives the President the 
ability to turn over the legislative rock and expose all the pork 
provisions and midnight deals to the light of day. Once exposed, they 
simply will not survive.
  By enacting the line-item veto, we can trim billions of dollars off 
the deficit and restore accountability to the legislative process. 
Combined with the balanced budget amendment, it will force Congress to 
make those tough decisions we have avoided for years. It is one more 
tool in the fight against the deficit.


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