From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

March 07, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Cosponsors Line Item Veto Measure

Washington DC-Congressman Jim Matheson today signed onto legislation that would give the President line item veto authority over spending bills. The bipartisan measure is scheduled to be introduced in the House today by Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan.

"I strongly support efforts to restore fiscal discipline to the federal budget process. This legislation would give the President the authority to propose the elimination of wasteful spending and special-interest tax breaks, while preserving Congress' power of the purse under the Constitution," said Matheson.

Matheson said that under the bill he is cosponsoring:

• The President could propose doing away with frivolous spending in appropriations bills as well as new entitlement spending and special-interest tax breaks to small numbers of individuals (under 100 beneficiaries).
• Congress would have to vote on each proposed rescission within 10 days of its introduction.
• No amendments to the proposed rescissions would be allowed.
  

Matheson notes that under a Republican Congress, President Bill Clinton was given the line-item veto authority in 1998.  That measure was declared unconstitutional.  Unlike that bill, the version Matheson supports requires Congressional approval of all the President's proposed rescissions.

"Governors in more than 40 states have line item veto authority, as a tool to achieve balanced budgets.  I see this as another arrow in the quiver as we attempt to enforce some budget discipline," said Matheson.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)