What is the presidents role in the legislative process?
Once a bill has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is given to the president, who has ten days to either sign the bill into law or veto the bill. Congress can “override” this veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. If the president does not take any action on the bill within ten days, it becomes law without his signature. If the president receives the bill within the last ten days of the Congressional session, and the president neither signs nor vetoes the bill, it does not become law. This is referred to as a pocket veto. In addition, the Constitution requires that the president report to Congress on the “state of the Union and recommend to their consideration such measures that he shall judge necessary and expedient.” Over the past century, this responsibility has served as the basis for the president’s increasing role in defining a legislative agenda for Congress.
Related Questions
- How do differences between Democrats and Republicans affect Congress, the president, and the policy-making process?
- Is the JHU satisfied with the manner in which the peace process is handled by President Mahinda Rajapaksa?
- What is the role of DOT, the President, and other executive branch agencies in the rulemaking process?
