The Presidential Veto and Congressional Procedure

Publication Date: January 2001

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

Vetoes cast by the President represent a rejection of the will and intent of the majority in Congress as expressed in legislation. Presidential vetoes, and veto overrides, are often the reason for, or a reflection of, serious conflict between Congress and the President. The threat of a presidential veto can prompt the modification of bills moving through the legislative process. When appropriations measures are vetoed and Congress and the President cannot come to an agreement, the result can be the closure of federal agencies and the shutdown of federal programs and services. Historically, 1,484 bills have been vetoed by Presidents, while another 1,065 have experienced a "pocket" veto. Only 7.2%, or 106, of the 1,484 regular vetoes have been overridden by Congress. If pocket vetoes are included with regular vetoes, Congress has overturned only 4.2% of all presidential vetoes. see CRS Report 98-157, Congressional Overrides of Presidential Vetoes, CRS Report 98-148, Presidential Vetoes, 1789Present: A Summary Overview, and CRS Report 98-147, President Clinton's Vetoes. All veto reports are updated regularly.