    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [March 28, 1996]
    [Page 522]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action on the Line Item Veto
    March 28, 1996

        I want to commend the Senate for passing legislation to give the
    President line item veto authority. While not a perfect bill, the
    conference report as passed by the Senate will give Presidents the
    ability to cut wasteful Government spending and special interest tax
    provisions.
        I have advocated the line item veto for a very long time. I had the
    line item veto when I was Governor of Arkansas; I advocated the line
    item veto when I ran for President; and I have pursued it since becoming
    President.
        The President, no matter what party, needs the line item veto to
    ensure that our public resources are put to the best possible uses
    during these times of tight budgets. While I note that this authority
    does not become effective until the next Congress, I urge the House to
    follow the Senate's lead and pass the conference report now.