Bush says line-item veto will reduce government spending

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

WASHINGTON (AFP) — President George W. Bush argued that line-item veto authority -- the power to cancel specific provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire package -- would help him to rein in government spending.

"Our economy is heading into the summer on the fast track, and one of the best ways to keep our momentum going is to restrain spending in Washington, DC," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

He called for congress to reform the spending process, claiming that the current system allows lawmakers to insert funding for "pet projects" into large spending bills, called earmarking.

"For example, a bill to fund our military can be loaded up with unjustified earmarks and other spending that may not add to our national security.

"This leaves...