Reagan's Trump Card: The Veto

Publication Date: July 1985

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): James L. Gattuso; Stephen Moore

Research Area: Banking and finance; Government

Keywords: Government reform

Type: Report

Abstract:

The veto is a particularly useful device in curbing government spending--an issue that surely tops the President's list of priorities. The President continually has requested a line-item veto to tackle huge multiprogram appropriation bills without having to reject or accept the entire package. If Reagan is given that power by Congress, it will help restore balance in the legislative process. Meanwhile, the President would be taking a major step toward putting a lid on government spending if he were to employ his existing powers more aggressively. It is time for Ronald Reagan to say "no."