Veto Power

A veto is the President’s formal refusal to sign a bill passed by Congress. In a regular veto, the President returns the bill with objections. In a pocket veto, a bill can fail when Congress has adjourned and the President does not sign it within the constitutional time period.

Vetoes are not only end-stage events. A veto threat can shape negotiations long before a bill reaches the President. Members of Congress may change text, build broader coalitions, or abandon a proposal if they believe the President will reject it and an override is unlikely.

Congress can override a regular veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. Overrides are difficult because they require support beyond a simple majority. When Congress cannot override, lawmakers may rewrite the bill, attach pieces to other legislation, use oversight, or wait for a different political moment.

Do not rely only on headlines. Verify the bill text, the veto message, House and Senate votes, and whether Congress attempted or completed an override. The official record should show dates, chamber action, vote totals, and the bill number.