Trump May Use ‘Pocket Veto’ On Pelosi’s Bill – And Congress Would Not Be Able To Override Him
President Trump just vetoed one bill he criticized from Congress—could he do it again soon?
Congress finally passed a second COVID relief package—after dragging their feet for six months.
But, although they promised $1200 payments to hard-hit Americans, the bill only allotted $600. This, even though the bill provides billions to foreign nations (and non-citizens).
President Trump called on Congress to fix these glaring errors. Pelosi appears willing to bump up the payments, but not parts that shell out big bucks to other nations.
So, Trump just might use a pocket veto to stop her. From Vox:
With time running out before the end of Congress’s current session, there’s one tool that President Donald Trump could use to block a new stimulus bill without outright rejecting it: a pocket veto… the name of this veto comes from presidents’ ability to effectively table bills and put them in their “pocket.”
As laid out in the Constitution, if the president does not sign a bill within 10 days of receiving it (excluding Sundays) and Congress adjourns during that time, the bill is considered vetoed. Because Congress has already adjourned by that point, it does not have the ability to override this veto.
Although called a “veto,” a pocket veto doesn’t involve the president signing anything. He just tables the bill (putting it in his “pocket”), until Congress adjourns. Then the bill is considered vetoed by default.
And because Congress is no longer in session, they will not be able to override this kind of veto.
But is that something Trump plans on doing? Trump has openly criticized this “relief” bill calling it a disgrace. He wanted more support for struggling Americans. Instead, Congress has prioritized giving tax dollars to foreign nations.
Instead of providing support for Americans—and finding ways to urge states to reopen—Congress appears to be doing very little for citizens, but a lot for foreign countries.
Time and again, Trump has called on both parties to strike a deal for the American people. His administration was willing to work with Democrats.
But it seems like Pelosi was up to her old games.
The threat of a pocket veto might compel Congress to actually include those changes Trump has demanded.
Will they do it, though? Considering Congress’s long track record of failure, it’s hard to say.