WASHINGTON - House Republicans today reaffirmed their commitment to reducing spending by passing the Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006, which gives the president increased authority to remove unnecessary or wasteful spending items from spending bills. Congressman Akin (R-MO), a known fiscal conservative, was among a group of "conservative" Republicans who sponsored the bill and advocated bringing the measure to a vote.
"I along with colleagues in the Republican Study Committee have made this legislation one of our top priorities, and I believe its passage is a significant step toward greater fiscal responsibility," said Congressman Akin. "Allowing the President the authority of a line item veto is a much needed fundamental reform. We have seen too many flagrant excesses, such the infamous bridge to nowhere."
Among other things, H.R. 4890, the Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006, does the following:
- Allows the president 45 days to propose rescissions on spending bills he signs into law;
- Requires Congress to act on the president's proposed rescissions by requiring an up-or-down vote on the complete list;
- Directs savings from congressionally approved rescissions to deficit reduction efforts; and
- Helps address the problem of unnecessary entitlement spending.
