Overriding Presidential Vetoes

Contemporary News Analyses

“Congress Overrides Medicare Payment Bill Veto.” Associated Press, July 15, 2008.

Available at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25690714/ns/politics-white_house/t/congress-overrides-medicare-payment-bill-veto/

This article discusses the 2008 Congressional override of President Bush’s (R, 2001-2009) veto on a Medicare bill. The override represents one of the few times that Congress was able to pass legislation without the President’s approval.

Mitchell, Alison. “With First Veto, Clinton Rejects Budget-Cut Bill.” The New York Times, June 8, 1995. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/08/us/with-first-veto-clinton-rejects-budget-cut-bill.html

Mitchell recounts President Clinton’s (D, 1993-2001) early struggles over budget cuts with the new GOP majority in Congress. Previously, President Clinton had found a way to compromise with the Congress on other disagreements, but decided to exercise his veto power for the first time during his presidency on this bill.

Rosenblatt, Robert A. and Gebe Martinez. “Senate Completes First Override of Clinton Veto: Congress: Measure Restricts Investors’ Ability to Sue for Securities Fraud. It’s a Victory for GOP ‘Contract.’” The Los Angeles Times, December 23, 1995. Available at: http://articles.latimes.com/1995-12-23/news/mn-17039_1_securities-fraud

The authors describe the circumstances of the first veto override of the Clinton (D, 1993-2001) presidency in which Congress overrode a veto of a bill limiting shareholders’ ability to sue for securities fraud. The override represents the Republican promise included in their “Contract with America” that enabled them to gain a majority in both chambers of Congress.

“Senate Overrides Bush Water Projects Veto: First Time in a Decade Congress Has Passed a Bill Over Presidential Rejection.” Associated Press, November 8, 2007.

Available at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21691324/ns/politics-capitol_hill/t/senate-overrides-bush-water-projects-veto/

The Associated Press provides analysis on the first veto override of President George W. Bush’s (R, 2001-2009) presidency concerning a water projects bill he strongly opposed. The last time a veto override was sustained by Congress was in 1998 during the Clinton presidency.

Weisman, John. “Farm-Bill Veto Overridden Despite Glitch.” The Washington Post, May 23, 2008.

Available at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/22/AR2008052200321.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Weisman reports on Congress’ veto override of President Bush’s (R, 2001-2009) veto on a farm bill in 2008. Controversy erupted as it was discovered that a large section of the bill’s text (concerning trade provisions) was missing from the version vetoed by Congress two days prior. However, 35 Republicans joined Senate Democrats to complete the override by a vote of 82-13. Weisman describes this instance as, “the most significant legislative rebuff of Bush’s presidency.”