Veto Power
Understand Veto Power in plain language, where the authority comes from, and how to find official records or next steps.
How the President can reject legislation and how Congress can override a veto.
Executive power is strongest when tied to law, transparency, and accountable administration.
What a veto does
A veto is the President’s formal rejection of a bill passed by Congress. The Constitution gives the President this power so the executive branch can object to legislation before it becomes law.
Congress can respond
Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. Overrides are difficult, which makes the veto a powerful negotiating and checking tool.
Learn more
Vetoes belong inside the larger lawmaking process.
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