What is the item veto?

The item veto, also known as a line-item veto, is a special power that allows a governor or president to reject specific provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire legislation. This tool enables leaders to eliminate particular spending items or policy measures they oppose while allowing the rest of the bill to become law. While many states grant this power to their governors, the U.S. Congress does not allow it at the federal level, as the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional in 1998.