<P> However, the procedure set up by the Act was cumbersome . All recent presidents supported the restoration of the impoundment power, including Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama . Politicians such as John McCain, John Kerry, Al Gore, Pat Buchanan, Jeb Hensarling, Russ Feingold, Joe Lieberman, Judd Gregg and Paul Ryan also supported the restoration of the power . </P> <P> The Line Item Veto Act of 1996 gave the president the power of line - item veto, which President Bill Clinton applied to the federal budget 82 times before the law was struck down in 1998 by the Supreme Court on the grounds of it being in violation of the Presentment Clause of the U.S. Constitution . </P> <P> Strengthening the rescission provision within the 1974 act has also been proposed as a means of curtail excessive congressional spending . </P>

On the issue of a president’s right to impound funds the u.s. constitution says