What is the term for a presidential rejection of a bill passed by Congress?

The act of a president rejecting a bill passed by Congress is known as a veto. This power is a fundamental aspect of the United States' system of checks and balances, designed to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful. The Constitution, in Article I, Section 7, outlines this executive authority, allowing the President to review legislation and block measures deemed unconstitutional, unjust, or unwise.

When a president issues a regular veto, they return the unsigned bill to the originating house of Congress, along with a message explaining their objections. Congress then has the opportunity to reconsider the bill. To override a presidential veto, both the House of Representatives and the Senate must pass the bill again with a two-thirds majority vote. This high threshold means that presidential vetoes are significant; historically, only about 7.1% of regular vetoes have been overridden.

Beyond the regular veto, there is also the "pocket veto." This occurs if the President does not sign a bill within ten days (excluding Sundays) and Congress adjourns during that period, preventing the bill's return. In such a case, the bill does not become law. The first presidential veto was cast by George Washington on April 5, 1792, regarding a bill on the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives, setting an early precedent for the use of this crucial executive power. The threat of a veto can also be a powerful tool, influencing legislators to alter a bill's content to make it more acceptable to the President.