By Alabama Public Radio
Washington DC – Governor Bob Riley and a handful of other Governors visited the White House yesterday to talk with President Bush about how they use their line item veto power to manage their budgets. President Bush is seeking that expansion of his powers, though he has never vetoed any spending bill. The Office of President had the ability to strike individual items from budgets during Bill Clinton's term, but the US Supreme Court struck it down as unconstitutional. The plan federal lawmakers are currently considering would allow a veto to overridden by a simple majority in both houses. Formerly, it took a two-thirds vote. Governor Riley says line item veto power carries a high level of responsibility.