The term "item veto" refers to the power held by some politicians to strike specific provisions from proposed legislation without rejecting the entire bill. It is spelled /ˈaɪtəm ˈvitoʊ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "eye" followed by the schwa sound in the second syllable. The stress falls on the second syllable. The final two syllables are pronounced as "vee-toh." The term is commonly used in the United States and various other countries where the concept of a veto exists.
Item veto is a governmental power granted to an executive authority, typically held by the head of state or head of government, to selectively reject or strike down specific provisions or components of a bill or legislation while approving the rest. The term "item" refers to a particular section, clause, or provision within the legislation being considered.
This power allows the executive to effectively modify and shape legislation according to their preferences, by vetoing specific parts they disagree with while preserving the rest of the bill. It provides the executive with a tool to exercise control over the content of a piece of legislation without having to veto the entire bill, which can be seen as a more balanced and nuanced approach to governance.
The item veto is often employed to eliminate or alter objectionable or controversial measures that may be attached to an otherwise favorable bill. It enables the executive to exert their influence on the legislative process, acting as a check on the power of the legislative branch. The aim of the item veto is to allow the executive to sign into law the portions of a bill they support, while rejecting those provisions they deem undesirable or contrary to their policy agenda.
The item veto power can vary in scope and limitations depending on the specific country and its constitution. Some countries may have a limited item veto, allowing the executive to strike down specific spending appropriations or provisos, whereas others may grant broader authority encompassing a wider range of legislative provisions.
The word "item veto" has a straightforward etymology.
The term "item" comes from the Latin word "item", meaning "likewise", "in the same manner", or "also".
The word "veto" comes from the Latin expression "veto", which means "I forbid".
Therefore, the term "item veto" combines the word "item" with "veto" to describe the power of a legislative executive to reject specific parts or provisions of a bill while approving the rest.