Suspensive Veto

A suspensive veto is a type of veto power that allows a president or other executive to delay the enactment of a law passed by the legislature. The veto can be overridden by a supermajority vote of the legislature, typically two-thirds.

History of the Suspensive Veto

The suspensive veto was first used in the United States by President George Washington. In 1790, Washington vetoed a bill that would have granted the federal government the power to establish a national bank. Washington argued that the bill was unconstitutional, and that the federal government did not have the power to charter a bank. The House of Representatives voted to override the veto, but the Senate did not. The bill was therefore defeated.

The suspensive veto has been used by presidents of the United States a total of 2,592 times. Of these, 1,061 vetoes have been overridden by Congress. The most recent veto to be overridden was President Donald Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.

How the Suspensive Veto Works

The suspensive veto is a two-step process. First, the president must veto the bill. The veto can be either a “pocket veto” or a “public veto.” A pocket veto occurs when the president does not sign a bill within 10 days of its passage, and Congress is not in session. A public veto occurs when the president signs a bill but then returns it to Congress with his or her objections.

If the president vetoes a bill, it is then sent back to Congress. Congress can then either override the veto or let the bill die. To override a veto, both houses of Congress must pass the bill by a two-thirds vote. If Congress overrides the veto, the bill becomes law. If Congress does not override the veto, the bill dies.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Suspensive Veto

The suspensive veto has both advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that it allows the president to have a check on the power of the legislature. The president can veto a bill that he or she believes is unconstitutional or that is not in the best interests of the country. Another advantage is that the suspensive veto can force the legislature to compromise on a bill. If the legislature knows that the president is likely to veto a bill, they may be more willing to negotiate with the president in order to get the bill passed.

One disadvantage of the suspensive veto is that it can be used to block legislation that is supported by a majority of the people. If the president vetoes a bill that is supported by a majority of the people, it can be seen as undemocratic. Another disadvantage is that the suspensive veto can lead to gridlock in government. If the president and the legislature are unable to agree on a bill, the bill may never become law.

Conclusion

The suspensive veto is a powerful tool that can be used by the president to influence the legislative process. The veto can be used to block legislation that the president believes is unconstitutional or that is not in the best interests of the country. The veto can also be used to force the legislature to compromise on a bill. However, the veto can also be used to block legislation that is supported by a majority of the people, and it can lead to gridlock in government.