H.J.Res.8 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide certain line item veto authority to the President. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.J.Res.8 proposes a constitutional amendment granting the President line-item veto authority over appropriations within bills or joint resolutions. The President could reduce appropriations, and the bill would become law with the reduced amount. Congress would then have the opportunity to disapprove the reduction, requiring a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to restore the original appropriation amount.
Expected Effects
If ratified, this amendment would shift some budgetary power from Congress to the President. The President could unilaterally reduce spending, subject to a potential congressional override. This could lead to altered budget priorities and potentially faster responses to perceived wasteful spending.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces wasteful government spending.
- Increases presidential accountability for budgetary decisions.
- May lead to more efficient allocation of resources.
- Could expedite the budget process.
- Provides a check on congressional spending habits.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Shifts power away from the legislative branch, potentially disrupting the balance of power.
- Could lead to politically motivated cuts to programs.
- May create gridlock if Congress frequently overrides presidential vetoes.
- Potential for abuse of power by the executive branch.
- Could disproportionately affect certain sectors or states.
Constitutional Alignment
The proposed amendment modifies the existing legislative process outlined in Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution, which details how bills become law. It adds an exception allowing the President to alter appropriations, subject to a congressional override. The amendment process itself aligns with Article V of the Constitution, which describes the process for amending the document.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).