A specific executive power allows a president or governor to nullify or cancel specific provisions of a bill, typically budget appropriations, without vetoing the entire legislative package. This authority contrasts sharply with the standard veto, which rejects an entire piece of legislation. For example, a chief executive might approve a budget bill but specifically reject a particular allocation for a highway project.
The perceived benefit of this selective negation is enhanced fiscal responsibility and control over government spending. Proponents argue that it enables executives to eliminate wasteful or unnecessary spending measures that may have been included through logrolling or other legislative maneuvering. Historically, it has been viewed as a tool to prevent deficit spending and earmarks, although its constitutionality at the federal level has been challenged. Its use at the state level varies depending on individual state constitutions and laws.
