What are the arguments for and against the line item veto from a political perspective, and why did the Supreme Court declare it unconstitutional? In your view, should Congress try to pass a new line item veto law or constitutional amendment?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Students should define the line item veto and then describe the political arguments for and against it—including budgetary flexibility, deficit reduction, and presidential encroachment on congressional power/undermining the power of the purse. The Supreme Court ruled that the law was unconstitutional because it gave the president unilateral authority to change the text of legislation, which is not a power granted to the president by the Constitution. Congress cannot alter interbranch constitutional arrangements with legislation; they would need to do so with an amendment. Students should then make a clear argument about whether the line item veto is a good idea.