Overriding a Presidential Veto

Overriding a Presidential Veto Primary Sources

Bush, George W. Veto Message of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (H.R. 2419), May 21, 2008.

President Bush (R, 2001-2009) argues that this Act increases farm bill spending by more than $20 billion, contains far too many earmarks, and mismanages taxpayer dollars. The 2008 U.S. Farm Bill was passed when Congress overrode President Bush’s veto on June 18, 2008 becoming Public Law 110-234.

Bush, George W. Veto Message of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 2082), March 10, 2008.

President Bush (R, 2001-2009) defends his veto by claiming that this Act will prevent government efforts to protect Americans from terrorist attacks and other threats because the bill would limit the authority of the intelligence community and prevent the CIA from using interrogation tactics such as waterboarding. President Bush’s veto was upheld.

Bush, George W. Veto Message of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (H.R. 1495), November 2, 2007.

President Bush (R, 2001-2009) explains that he vetoed this bill because it lacks fiscal discipline and creates an excessive amount of projects for the Army Corps of Engineers that will require further spending. This Act became Public Law 110-114 on November 8, 2007 after the House of Representatives voted 361-54 and the Senate voted 79-14 to override the President’s veto. This represents Bush’s first veto override.

Cantwell Applauds Congress for Overriding President's Medicare Veto, Press Release, July 15, 2008.

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA, 2001-present) explains her reasons for supporting the override of President George W. Bush’s (R, 2001-2009) veto on Medicare legislation (HR 6331).

Clinton, Bill. Veto Message of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Act, 1996 (H.R. 1977), December 18, 1995.

President Clinton (D, 1993-2001) outlines his reasons for disapproving the bill by explaining that it would restrict natural resource protection in the United States, hamper economic growth, and deprive Native Americans of health and educational services. On January 4, 1996, the House of Representatives attempted to override the President’s veto and failed to gain the needed 2/3 majority. The vote was 239 to 177.

1 Clinton, Bill. Veto Message of the Private Securities Legislation Reform Act of 1995 (H.R. 1058), December 20, 1995.

Although President Clinton (D, 1993-2001) agrees that reforming federal securities law is necessary to end frivolous lawsuits, he objects to this particular bill saying that it fails to adequately protect the rights of defrauded investors. This Act was passed over the veto of President Clinton by a margin of 319-100 in the House and by 68-30 in the Senate becoming Public Law 104-67.