Line-item veto facts for kids
A line-item veto is a special power some leaders have. It lets them say "no" to specific parts of a new law, called a "bill." They can reject just a few sentences or sections without stopping the whole bill. This is different from a regular veto, which rejects the entire bill.
In the United States, most state leaders, called governors, can use this power. But the President of the United States cannot use it right now. Some presidents in other countries, like Brazil and Belarus, do have this power. For a short time, President Bill Clinton had the line-item veto. But the highest court, the Supreme Court, later said it was against the country's rules (the U.S. Constitution).
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Why Some People Like the Line-Item Veto
People who support the line-item veto believe it helps leaders save money. They say it lets a president remove wasteful spending from important laws. Imagine a big bill about the country's budget. It might have many good parts, but also a few small parts that seem unnecessary.
With a line-item veto, the president could keep the good parts. They could just remove the "bad" or "wasteful" parts. This way, important laws can still pass without extra costs. It's like being able to cut out just one bad ingredient from a recipe instead of throwing out the whole meal.
Why Some People Don't Like the Line-Item Veto
Others worry that the line-item veto gives the president too much power. They believe it goes against the idea of checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution. Checks and balances make sure no single part of the government becomes too strong.
Critics also argue that when a president changes a bill, it might not be what the Congress voted for. Congress works hard to agree on a bill. If the president can change parts of it, it might undo the careful work of the lawmakers.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Bill Clinton signing cancellation letters related to his Line-Item Vetoes for the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, August 11, 1997.
