The Presidential Veto and Congressional Procedure (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Jan. 29, 2001 |
| Report Number |
98-156GOV |
| Authors |
Gary L. Galemore |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
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 byCongress. 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, 1789-
Present: A Summary Overview, and CRS Report 98-147, President Clinton’s Vetoes.
All veto reports are updated regularly.
