The document discusses the presidential veto power granted by the Constitution. It allows the president to return unsigned bills to Congress with objections. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate. The document provides examples of past presidents' veto records, showing Bill Clinton had the highest success rate at blocking legislation, while George W. Bush had the lowest due to multiple overrides by Congress.

1. PRESIDENT AND
POWER OF VETO
A power vested in the President by
which he may return a bill to
Congress unsigned with the reason
for his objection.
Congress may override a
presidential veto with a 2/3 vote in
both houses
Article
I, Sec VII

2. Congress then has 3 choices...



Put right the ‘wrongs’ and
return for signature – very
unlikely
Attempt to override –
demanding and rarely
achieved
Realise they don’t have the
votes, do nothing and accept
the President has won – most
likely

3. Clinton and the veto

Used regular veto 36 times

Congress attempted to override on
13 occasions

Succeed on 2

So, Clinton won on 34 out of 36
occasions when he vetoed
legislation

2 that were overriden: Securities bill
(1995), and Military Construction
Appropriations bill (1998)

4. Jimmy Carter and the veto

Used veto 13 times
against a Democratcontrolled Congress

2 occasions they override
his veto: Oil Import Fee
bill (1980), and Veteran’s
Health Care bill (1980)

5. Bush and the veto




Became first President in 150
years to go through an entire
4 year term without using a
veto
2006 days before issuing his
first veto in 2006
Suffered first override in 2007
on Water Resources
Development bill
Then suffered three more
defeats in 2008 leaving him
with the lowest success score
of any modern day President

6. Obama and the veto



Used the regular veto on 2
occasions
Most recent was the ‘Interstate
Recognition of Notarizations Act’
of 2010. Among other things it
tried to speed up the process for
banks to repossess house.
Obama decided it was too ‘bankfriendly’ and not in the interest of
the people.
Congress attempted an override
but failed to get the numbers.

7. Overall
In 220 years presidents
have used 1500 regular
vetoes
 Only 110 have been
overriden by Congress
 That is a success rate of
93%!
