Porter Goss: “8 days ago I stood in the Oval Office as the President signed into law the historic line-item veto. But how serious is…”

“8 days ago I stood in the Oval Office as the President signed into law the historic line-item veto. But how serious is the Washington establishment when it comes to enforcing real change? Today we read the first of what is likely to be many advertisements for Washington insiders pitching a seminar on how to circumvent the line-item veto. For a mere $245, people whose business it is to secure Federal money can learn, among other things: What can be done to insulate an appropriation, entitlement or tax provision from a line-item veto. The law hasn't even gone into effect, and already people are seeking ways around it. And, later today, we consider a bill to take an entire category of Federal spending off budget, beyond the reach of the line-item veto. Mr. Speaker, we crafted a tough and workable line-item veto to control runaway Government spending. How serious are we? I guess Americans will have to watch and see.”