INS v. Chadha (1983)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Congress had given itself a one-house legislative veto over the Attorney General’s decision to suspend Chadha’s deportation. The Supreme Court struck that mechanism down, holding that legislative actions must comply with bicameralism and presentment (pass both houses and be presented to the President).

3) Why It Mattered
It invalidated hundreds of statutory provisions using legislative vetoes, reshaping how Congress oversees executive agencies and reinforcing constitutional lawmaking procedures.

Clinton v. City of New York (1998)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Congress passed the Line Item Veto Act, allowing the President to cancel specific spending items after signing a bill into law. President Clinton used the power to cancel certain budget items. The Supreme Court struck down the Act, holding that it violated the Presentment Clause because it effectively let the President amend or repeal laws unilaterally.