Bipartisan Coalition Calls For Enhanced Line-Item Veto

By Rachel Whitt

As Congress and the White House attempt to cut spending, a bipartisan coalition of Senators spearheaded by Sen. John McCain (R-Az.) and Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) called for the enhancement of the president’s line-item veto authority Tuesday to help trim the budget.

The Unnecessary Spending Act of 2011 would allow the president to isolate earmarks and other non-entitlement allocations within legislation sent for his signature. The president could then return those isolated allocations to Congress for expedited votes on funding reductions or cancellations. 

“What we’re proposing today is not a bazooka, it’s a rifle,” Carper said during a press conference. “To enable Congress and the president to take a rifle shot at spending.”

McCain also said he believes this bill could reap more than just fiscal benefits. 

“It might help restore some of the confidence of the American,” McCain said. “They believe we’re no longer careful stewards of their tax dollars.” 

Also voicing support for the measure were Democrats Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) as well as Republicans Dan Coats (R-Ind.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).