Happens in the US all the time, too. It's the very thing that makes the line-item veto so controversial. I want someone to be able to knock down pork (or worse, like this) added to non-related bills, at the last minute, in the middle of the night, with no debate. But do I want that power to always exist?
Edit: happened like 5 times just last month and could have shut down the government. Now Dodd-Frank is all but dead, campaign donation limits are up from $92k to $777k, the EPA is further defunded, and more - all last minute riders with almost zero debate.
Actually an even worse thing in our "democracy" is how a single person in congress can put a hold on a bill and bury it - while remaining completely anonymous.
How the hell is that even possible
Line item veto would be incredibly dangerous. We'd end up with 100% corporate welfare while the entire foodstamp program would be canceled.
I think a modified version of a line-item veto, where the president would be able to cross out the offending lines, and then send it back to congress for them to vote on the modified version of the bill could be useful. I think it would be significantly less dangerous than having a normal line-item veto.
Edit: happened like 5 times just last month and could have shut down the government. Now Dodd-Frank is all but dead, campaign donation limits are up from $92k to $777k, the EPA is further defunded, and more - all last minute riders with almost zero debate.
http://www.newsweek.com/what-did-congress-sneak-last-minute-...