Who can stop a bill?
Trace a decision, then explain what the process shows about power.
Start with the context
Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution gives the president a role in the lawmaking process. A president can return a bill with objections. Congress can reconsider it. A two-thirds vote in each chamber can override the veto. This activity follows that route; it does not cover every way a bill can become law.
- Veto
- The president returns a bill with objections.
- Override
- Congress passes the bill despite a veto, with the required votes.
- Chamber
- One part of Congress: the House or the Senate.
1 · A bill passes
In this fictional case, both chambers pass the same bill to fund a new public program.
2 · The president objects
The president returns the bill because of concerns about its cost.
3 · Congress reconsiders
Two-thirds of the House vote to override. Only three-fifths of the Senate vote to override.
Use the evidence
Does the bill become law through this override attempt? Use the rule and both vote results.
Identify one way the president checks Congress and one way Congress can check the president.
Revise this claim: “The president always has the final say about a bill.” Keep your explanation to two sentences.
Close it. Recall it. Check it.
Cover the case and vocabulary. From memory, explain why support in just one chamber is not enough to override a veto. Then uncover the page and check your explanation.