On the recordFebruary 3, 1995
Christmas might come just once a year to most people in the country, but up here in Washington, land of plenty, the legislative Christmas tree shines all year long. Why? Because Congress for years has been practicing pork barrel politics. In the past, Members have been able to hang their own little ornaments on appropriation bills, best known as Christmas trees which resulted in huge payoffs to someone back in their district. Unfortunately these ornaments cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars while only benefiting a select few. But with the passage of a line-item veto, we are finally going to give the President of the United States the same power to remove these costly ornaments. Line-item veto will allow the President to enjoy the same authority as 43 Governors including my own Governor in Illinois, already practice. With line-item veto, we will end the long reign of pork barrel politics. This bill is long overdue.
Source
govinfo.gov
