veto

/viytow/ (Lat. I forbid.)

The refusal of assent by the executive officer whose assent is necessary to perfect a law which has been passed by the legislative body, and the message which is usually sent to such body by the executive, stating such refusal and the reasons therefor. A refusal by the president or a governor to sign into law a bill that has been passed by a legislature. In the case of a presidential veto, the bill can still become a law if two-thirds of each House of Congress votes to override the veto. Art. I, No. 7, U.S.Const. It is either absolute or qualified, according as the effect of its exercise is either to destroy the bill finally, or to prevent its becoming law unless again passed by a stated proportion of votes or with other formalities. Or the veto may be merely suspensive.

@ line item veto

The power which governors possess in most States to veto items in appropriation bills without affecting any other provisions of such bills.

@ overriding veto

Passing a law again that has already been vetoed (turned down and left unsigned) by a government official such as a governor, president, etcetera. In the federal government, a bill vetoed by the President must receive two-thirds majority in Congress to override the veto and enact the measure into law.

@ pocket veto

Non-approval of a legislative act by the president or state governor, with the result that it fails to become a law. Such is not the result of a written disapproval (a veto in the ordinary form), but rather by remaining silent until the adjournment of the legislative body, when that adjournment takes place before the expiration of the period allowed by the constitution for the examination of the bill by the executive. Inaction on the part of the President when sent a bill just passed by Congress which has the effect of vetoing it. While Presidential inaction for ten days after a bill's presentment normally results in the bill becoming law just as if signed, inaction by the President results in a "pocket veto" if Congress adjourns and thereby prevents the bill's return within the ten-day period after presentment. U.S. Const., Art. I, No. 7

@ veto power

Executive's power conditionally to prevent acts passed by legislature, which have not yet become law, from becoming law. Fitzsimmons v. Leon, C.C.A. Puerto Rico, 141 F.2d 886, 888.

See veto

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