Be conservative and say only the higher-income employees will transfer. Opponents of government waste will be surprised to hear that President Clinton might be the hero here. His Office of Management and Budget is seriously investigating whether to recommend a line item veto. Even today, a billion dollars is a substantial target. Since the proposal is legislating upon an appropriation bills, rather than a direct appropriation, there is discussion whether the line item veto applies.
Most experts believe it can be used.
Even if not, the president should veto it and leave it up to the courts to decide, after he gets the benefit of zeroing out the pork. From his bully pulpit there is no question he could gain public approval for ending this outrageous abuse of power. The vote was close enough on the conference report that the veto should be sustained. It is a sad day when Bill Clinton is the only hope to save the taxpayer. But that day has arrived.