Fortenberry Backs Line-Item Veto
Passage Will Help Restore Fiscal Responsibility

Washington D.C. - Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, a co-sponsor of the Legislative Line-Item Veto Act of 2006, today voted for the bills passage. The measure passed the House by a vote of 247-172. The Act permits Congress and the President to work together to target wasteful and unnecessary spending items and improves transparency and accountability for spending requests.

The line-item veto is a tool to help Congress and the President decide between important yet competing priorities without increasing the burden on Americas taxpayers, Fortenberry said. Congress has the difficult job of delivering essential public services while being fiscally responsible. I believe the line-item veto will encourage fiscal prudence and increase lawmakers accountability to taxpayers.

The Legislative Line-Item Veto Act authorizes the President to submit to Congress his budget rescission requests, including spending items and targeted tax breaks.

A version of the line-item veto ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1998 did not require congressional approval of the Presidents rescissions. The Legislative Line-Item Veto Act of 2006 requires an up-or-down vote in both the House and Senate under an expedited process. In six years, the legislation sunsets and Congress can decide whether to renew it.

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