The Line Item Veto Act of 1996
Legislation and Lower Court Action
Conflicting budget priorities, along with concern over the size of the Federal deficit, have accentuated the institutional tensions between the Executive and Legislative Branches inherent in the Federal budget process. President Clinton, like his two predecessors, called for an item veto, or possibly expanded impoundment authority, to provide him with greater control over Federal spending. See "Line Item Veto and Rescission Authority," Congressional Digest 72, no. 2 (February 1993). Congress exercises its "power of the purse" by enacting appropriations measures, but the President has broad authority as Chief Executive in the implementation stage of the budget process. It is at…
