Line-item veto

Today, nearly all abortions were outlawed in South Dakota, and the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that federal funding could be withheld from colleges and universities that prohibit military recruiters. Given those headlines, Bush's new plug for line-item veto power may seem trifling. But the line-item veto is frightening. It was a frightening proposal under Clinton and is even more frightening under Bush. True, Bush has never vetoed anything; he has always preferred, it seems, to act outside the parameters of authority afforded him by the Constitution. But that doesn't mean his legal powers ought to be expanded. Midyear elections are coming and, due to the Republicans' abysmal recent poll numbers, it is possible Democrats will overtake the House and make gains in the Senate. Setting the line item veto into effect now will guarantee Bush's legal right to cherry-pick Democratic "special interests" to exclude from funding should the Democrats reclaim a majority. These "special interests" typically include programs that benefit the environment, children, the elderly, minorities, civil rights, art, and the indigent.