Oregon Public Broadcasting

Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick expects a hearing within two weeks for his bill to give the president line-item veto authority.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar law in 1998. But correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports Minnick thinks his bill would pass the constitutional test.

The Idaho congressman says he and his Blue Dog Democratic colleagues have introduced at least six bills aimed at reining in federal spending.

Minnick's would give the president 45 days to review appropriations bills approved by Congress. The president could then check off spending he doesn't like and send back a list of what he wants removed.

Minnick says Congress would have to vote yes or no on the whole list without adding or subtracting anything.

Walt Minnick: "It's not the complete solution to runaway government spending, but it sure should help with special interest projects and wasteful spending."

Minnick says the chairman of the House Budget Committee has committed to at least giving his line-item veto bill a hearing later this month. But it's not clear what the final product would be if a bill passes at all.

Minnick is a Democrat running for re-election in a north Idaho district with a Republican voter registration edge. He faces Raul Labrador, who dismisses Minnick's bill as a public relations ploy.