Political Quotes

“I too today rise in strong support of the rule for H.R. 4890, and I would urge my colleagues to support this. Some people are opposed to this bill and the underlying rule, because they fear that this rule gives too much power to the Executive. Well, I must respectfully disagree. This legislation is important because it forces Congress to be fiscally responsible. We simply must do a better job in reining in Federal spending. The line item veto is nothing new to the American political system. Many States, including my own of Pennsylvania, allow the Governors the opportunity to reject individual spending initiatives that are brought within a comprehensive budgetary package. Having served as a State representative and a State senator, I can assure you that the threat of an Executive's blue line, or blue pencil as we say in Pennsylvania, often forces smarter and more disciplined spending on the part of the legislative body. What is more, when the legislative body acts with greater fiscal restraint, the Executive is less likely to exercise that power granted under line item veto. And if the Executive acts in an arbitrary or capricious manner, the legislative body knows how to respond and retaliate, if necessary, through the budget process. Thus, the legislature and the Executive act as potential deterrent to one another's spending proclivities. I have seen this happen many times.…”