pocket veto
/'pɔkit'vi:tou/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. An indirect veto of legislation by a head of state, typically a president or governor, by retaining an unsigned bill until the legislative session ends, thereby preventing it from becoming law without a formal veto and the possibility of an override. This method relies on the executive's inaction and the adjournment of the legislature.
Usage
- The term is used primarily in the context of U.S. federal and state politics to describe a specific executive action (or inaction) regarding passed legislation.
- It is a formal political and legal term.
Examples
- Noun:
- The President exercised a pocket veto on the spending bill by not signing it before Congress adjourned.
- A pocket veto is absolute because the legislature is not in session to attempt an override.
Advanced Usage
- Constitutional Mechanism: In the U.S., the pocket veto power is derived from Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution, which states that if the President does not sign a bill within 10 days (Sundays excepted) and Congress adjourns during that period, the bill does not become law. This is distinct from a "regular veto," which can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both houses.
- Strategic Use: Executives may use a pocket veto to reject legislation without publicly issuing a veto message, avoiding a direct political confrontation.
Variants and Related Words
- Veto (n/v): The constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.
- Legislative adjournment (n): The formal dismissal of a legislative session, which is a necessary condition for a pocket veto.
Synonyms
- Indirect veto
- Passive veto (less common)
Antonyms
- Sign into law
- Formal/regular veto (which is direct and can be overridden)
Related Phrases
- "To pocket-veto a bill" (verb phrase, often hyphenated): The act of using a pocket veto.
- The governor threatened to pocket-veto the bill if it reached his desk at the end of the session.
Noun
- indirect veto of legislation by refusing to sign it