Clinton v. City of New York

For years, American leaders in the executive and legislative branches of government have bandied about the idea of a line-item veto. The president possesses veto power over legislation. The line-item veto would give him even greater power by allowing him to strike certain provisions ("line items") within appropriations bills. Supporters of the line-item veto have suggested that it allows him to "hold the pork"--as in pork-barrel spending, which occurs when a legislator works a costly government project (but one which benefits his or her constituents) into an appropriations bill. Opponents of the line-item veto have argued that it would upset the traditional balance of power between the branches of government, and would require the enumeration of all budgetary details in appropriations bills. It would also mean that the primary negotiation of a bill would take place not on the legislative floor but at the veto stage, largely removed from the public eye.