Congress, Don’t Cede Budgetary Power to President

• By Louis Fisher
• Special to Roll Call
• Jan. 19, 2010, Midnight

Some Members of Congress are starting to take an interest in giving the president an item veto to help control budget deficits. A Senate subcommittee last month asked experts and attorneys whether federal courts are likely to find constitutional a form of item veto called “expedited rescission.” It would authorize the president, upon signing an appropriations bill, to put together a list of projects to be canceled. The procedure requires Congress to take a vote on this package within a fixed period of time, with no opportunity for amendment.