On the recordJanuary 31, 1995
the Chinese philosopher Lao Tsu said that, ``the journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step.'' Last week this House took a giant step toward fiscal sanity by passing the balanced budget amendment. Later this week, the House will begin debate on giving the President the line-item veto. This is, to be sure, a powerful tool in the hands of our Chief Executive. Some will argue the potential for abuse. But, my colleagues, 43 Governors have similar authority. The real value of the line-item veto rests in the knowledge that the Executive has the power and will use it if he sees wasteful spending. Rather than see the line-item veto as a weapon, perhaps we should see it as a tourniquet, a tourniquet that will help us stop the hemorrhaging of red ink. With the national debt ballooning at over $10,000 a second, it is time we attack this issue on every front. It is time to give the President the line-item veto.
Source
govinfo.gov
