Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
Introduced
Summary
Would give the President a temporary, limited power to cancel specific dollar amounts of discretionary spending, certain direct‑spending increases, or single‑beneficiary tax breaks. It would pair that power with short deferral windows, strict disclosure rules, expedited congressional approval procedures that bar amendments, and a sunset on October 1, 2031.
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- The President and Executive Office: The President could transmit cancellation proposals within 30 calendar days of a law and could defer or suspend covered budget authority for up to 30 days, with one 30‑day extension permitted. Proposals would be limited to a set number of special messages per bill, could not be duplicative, and must identify accounts and estimate fiscal effects.
- Congress and budget process: Cancellations would take effect only if Congress enacts an approval bill devoted to deficit reduction, and both chambers would use expedited procedures that bar amendments and limit debate to about 5 hours in the House and 2 hours in the Senate. Committees must meet tight reporting timelines and the House has fast discharge options if committees do not act.
- Programs, taxpayers, and beneficiaries: The authority would target discrete accounts, any direct spending increases above baseline, or "targeted tax benefits" that apply to a single beneficiary, and would require joint identification of such tax breaks by the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance chairmen. The Comptroller General must report if any suspensions remain after the deferral period ends.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Canceled funds go to deficit cuts
If Congress approves cancellations, the money would only be used to cut the deficit or raise the surplus. Budget leaders must update budget totals within 5 days, and OMB must update budget limits. Canceled trust‑fund or special‑fund dollars would not have to be moved into other funds.
SNAP and other aid could be paused
The President would be able to pause new spending, some direct payments, and targeted tax benefits for up to 30 days, with one 30‑day extension. SNAP is defined as direct spending, so SNAP benefits could be paused under this process. The President would have to end a pause early if it no longer serves the bill’s stated purposes. This temporary pause power would expire on October 1, 2031.
Fast-track votes to cancel new spending
This bill would let the President, within 30 days after a law is signed, propose canceling parts of new spending or targeted tax breaks. Each proposal must list the dollar amounts, accounts, reasons, and estimated budget effects. No more than 10 messages could be sent per bill (up to 20 for omnibus budget or appropriations bills). Congress would get a fast, no‑amendment vote: the House leader must introduce within 5 days, House committees have 7 days, House debate is 5 hours, and Senate debate is 2 hours. A cancellation would take effect only if Congress passes an approval bill; if not, nothing is canceled. These rules would apply only to future laws and would end on October 1, 2031.
Listing targeted tax breaks in conference
House and Senate tax chairs would need to flag targeted tax breaks in conference bills. The Joint Committee on Taxation would show those items in its revenue estimates. If a bill lists them, the President could act only on the listed items; if not, the President could act on any targeted tax break in the law.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
TN • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]
TX • R
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov