Steven Holt: “When this body last considered legislation to institute a ``line-item veto'' during the 109th Congress, I joined 171 of…”

“When this body last considered legislation to institute a ``line-item veto'' during the 109th Congress, I joined 171 of my colleagues in voting against it. Today, we again find ourselves considering a similar measure, and, once again, I rise in opposition to this latest attempt to abdicate our responsibilities, H.R. 3521, the Expedited Legislative Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act of 2011. This legislation alters dramatically the balance of power that the framers so delicately established. It is an abdication of our responsibilities as Members of Congress. The separation and balance of governmental powers must be kept. We have heard proponents of this measure come to the floor and speak about how this bill provides us with another tool to ensure that we are spending taxpayer funds sensibly. Why do we need another tool in our toolkit, Mr. Chair? I would argue that if we are seeking ways to cut the deficit, let's do it by sending appropriate spending bills to the President's desk. We are not missing a tool in our toolkit; we are missing the political will to come together as members of this body to produce spending bills that accomplish this goal without prompting from The White House. If indeed political will is missing, this ``line item veto'' will not be the way to find it. Furthermore, this measure puts us in danger of losing funding for good programs in the midst of partisan bickering.…”