Which president first used the line-item veto at the federal level?

The line-item veto is a special type of veto that allows an executive to reject individual provisions of a bill without having to veto the entire legislation. This power was first utilized at the federal level by President Bill Clinton. He was granted this authority through the Line Item Veto Act of 1996, which enabled him to selectively eliminate specific spending items and tax benefits in appropriations bills while allowing the rest of the legislation to become law.

The introduction of the line-item veto was significant as it aimed to provide the president with more control over budgetary decisions and reduce unnecessary spending. However, this power was ultimately ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1998, as it was found to violate the Presentment Clause of the Constitution.

Understanding the historical context and implications of the line-item veto illustrates the challenges and limitations of executive power within the framework of federal governance, emphasizing the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.