In the United States, the term "veto" is used to describe an action by which the president prevents an act passed by Congress from becoming law. This article provides a summary and details of the bills vetoed by presidents.

Veto procedure

Although the term "veto" does not appear in the United States Constitution, Article I requires each bill and joint resolution (except joint resolutions proposing a constitutional amendment) approved by the Congress to be presented to the president for his approval. Once the bill is presented to the president, there are several scenarios which may play out:

  • The president may sign the bill into law within ten days (excluding Sundays).
  • The president may veto the bill by returning it to Congress with a statement of objections within ten days (excluding Sundays). If the president vetoes a bill, the Congress shall reconsider it (together with the president's objections), and if both houses of the Congress vote to pass the law again by a two-thirds majority of members voting, then the bill becomes law, notwithstanding the president's veto. (The term "override" is used to describe this process of overcoming a presidential veto.)
  • If the president does nothing with the bill (neither signing it nor returning it to Congress with objections) and Congress does not by its adjournment prevent the bill's return, then the bill becomes law after ten days (excluding Sundays).
  • If the president does nothing with the bill and before the tenth day (excluding Sundays) Congress has adjourned in such a way as to prevent the bill being returned, then the bill expires and does not become law. The term "pocket veto" is used to describe this practice. Pocket vetoes cannot be overridden, so if the Congress still wants the piece of legislation enacted, a new bill must be introduced and passed (at which point it would again be subject to a veto). Doubt has existed as to which recesses and adjournments allow for pocket vetoes. In the modern practice, the clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate are authorized to receive veto messages during both intrasession and intersession recesses and adjournments, so pocket vetoes are only possible after the adjournment sine die of the final session of a Congress.

Although each case is different, one general rule can be acknowledged: presidents use their prerogative to veto legislation when such legislation does not represent their viewpoint or agenda.

Occasionally, a president either publicly or privately threatens Congress with a veto to influence the content or passage of legislation. There is no record of what constitutes a "veto threat" or how many have been made over the years, but it has become a staple of presidential politics and a sometimes effective way of shaping policy. A president may also warn Congress of a veto of a particular bill so as to persuade Congress not to waste time passing particular legislation or including certain provisions in a bill when the president is prepared to veto it.

Summary

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders sticky-header" style="text-align:center"

|- valign=bottom

!#

! scope="col" | President

! scope="col" | Regular<br />vetoes

! scope="col" | Pocket<br />vetoes

! scope="col" | % of regular<br />vetoes overridden

|-

!1

! scope="row"|

| 2|| 0 || 2 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!2

! scope="row"|

| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || – || –

|-

!3

! scope="row"|

| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || – || –

|-

!4

! scope="row"|

| 5 || 2 || 7 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!5

! scope="row"|

| 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!6

! scope="row"|

| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || – || –

|-

!7

! scope="row"|

| 5 || 7 || 12 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!8

! scope="row"|

| 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!9

! scope="row"|

| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || – || –

|-

!10

! scope="row"|

| 6 || 4 || 10 || 1 || 10% || 16%

|-

!11

! scope="row"|

| 2 || 1 || 3 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!12

! scope="row"|

| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || – || –

|-

!13

! scope="row"|

| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || – || –

|-

!14

! scope="row"|

| 9 || 0 || 9 || 5 || 56% || 56%

|-

!15

! scope="row"|

| 4 || 3 || 7 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!16

! scope="row"|

| 2 || 5 || 7 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!17

! scope="row"|

| 21 || 8 || 29 || 15 || 52% || 71%

|-

!18

! scope="row"|

| 45 || 48 || 93 || 4 || 4% || 9%

|-

!19

! scope="row"|

| 12 || 1 || 13 || 1 || 8% || 8%

|-

!20

! scope="row"|

| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || – || –

|-

!21

! scope="row"|

| 4 || 8 || 12 || 1 || 8% || 25%

|-

!22

! scope="row"|

| 304 || 110 || 414 || 2 || 1% || 1%

|-

!23

! scope="row"|

| 19 || 25 || 44 || 1 || 2% || 5%

|-

!24

! scope="row"|

| 42 || 128 || 170 || 5 || 3% || 12%

|-

!25

! scope="row"|

| 6 || 36 || 42 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!26

! scope="row"|

| 42 || 40 || 82 || 1 || 1% || 2%

|-

!27

! scope="row"|

| 30 || 9 || 39 || 1 || 3% || 3%

|-

!28

! scope="row"|

| 33 || 11 || 44 || 6 || 14% || 18%

|-

!29

! scope="row"|

| 5 || 1 || 6 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!30

! scope="row"|

| 20 || 30 || 50 || 4 || 8% || 20%

|-

!31

! scope="row"|

| 21 || 16 || 37 || 3 || 8% || 14%

|-

!32

! scope="row"|

| 372 || 263 || 635 || 9 || 1% || 2%

|-

!33

! scope="row"|

| 180 || 70 || 250 || 12 || 5% || 7%

|-

!34

! scope="row"|

| 73 || 108 || 181 || 2 || 1% || 3%

|-

!35

! scope="row"|

| 12 || 9 || 21 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!36

! scope="row"|

| 16 || 14 || 30 || 0 || 0% || 0%

|-

!37

! scope="row"|

| 26 || 17 || 43 || 7 || 16% || 27%

|-

!38

! scope="row"|

| 48 || 18 || 66 || 12 || 18% || 25%

|-

!39

! scope="row"|

| 13 || 18 || 31 || 2 || 6% ||15%

|-

!40

! scope="row"|

| 39 || 39 || 78 || 9 || 12% || 23%

|-

!41

! scope="row"|

|}

Full veto record

The following is an incomplete list of the dates and bills of each veto for each president:

George Washington

Two regular vetoes.

  1. June 1858: Pocket-vetoed H.J. Res. 37, a joint resolution in regard to the carrying of the United States mails from St. Joseph's, Missouri, to Placerville, California.
  2. February 24, 1859: Vetoed H.R. 2, an act donating public lands to the several States and Territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts. Override attempt failed in House on February 26, 1859, 105–96 (134 votes needed).
  3. March 1859: Pocket-vetoed S. 321, an act making an appropriation for deepening the channel over the St. Clair flats, in the State of Michigan.
  4. March 1859: Pocket-vetoed S.J. Res. 87, a joint resolution in relation to removal of obstructions to navigation in the mouth of the Mississippi River.
  5. April 17, 1860: Vetoed S. 29, an act for the relief of Arthur Edwards and his associates. Override attempt failed in Senate on June 7, 1860, 22–30 (35 votes needed).
  6. June 22, 1860: Vetoed S. 416, an act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain. Override attempt failed in Senate on June 23, 1860, 28–18 (31 votes needed).
  7. January 25, 1861: Vetoed H.R. 915, an act for the relief of Hockaday and Leggit. Override attempt failed in House on January 26, 1861, 81–67 (99 votes needed).

Abraham Lincoln

Seven vetoes (two regular vetoes and five pocket vetoes):

Some of Wilson's vetoes include:

  1. October 27, 1919: Vetoed the Volstead Act, but his veto was overridden by Congress.
  2. December 14, 1916: Vetoed the Immigration Act of 1917, but his veto was overridden by Congress.

Warren Harding

Harding vetoed the Soldiers' Adjusted Compensation Act (soldiers' bonus) on September 19, 1922, arguing the country could not afford the cost during the postwar recession. Congress failed, by four votes, to override his veto.

Calvin Coolidge

Coolidge vetoed the McNary–Haugen Farm Relief Bill because he thought its cost was too high.

Herbert Hoover

  • May 11, 1932 – Vetoed a bill to amend the Tariff Act of 1930 and for other purposes. The House of Representatives sustained the veto.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

635 vetoes.

Franklin D. Roosevelt vetoed more bills than any other president in history. This is partly because of the many new ideas for solutions to the problems caused by the Great Depression and World War II, and partly because he served three full terms (Roosevelt died roughly three months into his fourth term). Grover Cleveland vetoed more bills per term.

Harry S. Truman

180 regular vetoes, 70 pocket vetoes.

Congress overrode 12 of Truman's vetoes. One of the most notable was the Taft–Hartley Act, which weakened labor unions. Another was the McCarran Internal Security Act, which established the Subversive Activities Control Board to investigate suspected communist and/or fascist sympathizers.

Dwight Eisenhower

President Eisenhower had 181 vetoes, 73 of them regular legislative vetoes and 108 pocket vetoes. Two of these vetoes were overridden, the Postal and Federal Employees' Salary Increase Acts of 1960 and the Public works appropriations for 1960 fiscal year.

John F. Kennedy

Lyndon B. Johnson

Sixteen regular vetoes, fourteen pocket vetoes. None were overridden.

  1. December 30, 1963: Pocket vetoed , A bill to amend the Tariff Act of 1930. The bill was presented to the president on December 19, 1963.
  2. December 30, 1963: Pocket vetoed , A bill to confer jurisdiction on the Court of Claims to entertain, hear, and determine a motion for a new trial on the claim of Robert Alexander. The bill was presented to the president on December 21, 1963.
  3. March 23, 1964: Vetoed , A bill to confer jurisdiction on the Court of Claims to hear, determine, and render judgment upon the claim of R. Gordon Finney, Jr. No override attempt made.
  4. August 6, 1964: Vetoed , A bill for the relief of Anthony F. Bernardo and Ambrose A. Cerrito. No override attempt made.
  5. August 11, 1964: Vetoed , A bill for the relief of Catalina Properties, Incorporated. No override attempt made.
  6. August 31, 1964: Pocket vetoed , A bill for the relief of the estate of Eileen G. Foster. The bill was presented to the president on August 14, 1964. The pocket veto occurred during a recess from August 21, 1964, until August 31, 1964.
  7. September 1, 1964: Vetoed , A bill for the relief of Wetsel-Oviatt Lumber Co., Inc., Omo Ranch, El Dorado County, California. No override attempt made.
  8. October 3, 1964: Pocket vetoed , A bill for the relief of Chester A. Brothers and Anna Brothers, his wife.
  9. June 5, 1965: Vetoed , A bill to provide assistance to the States of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Idaho for the re-construction of areas damaged by recent floods and high waters. No override attempt made.
  10. June 14, 1965: Vetoed , A bill for the relief of Daniel Walter Miles. No override attempt made.
  11. June 26, 1965: Vetoed , A bill for the relief of Staiman Bros.-Simon Wrecking Company. No override attempt made.
  12. August 21, 1965: Vetoed , A bill to authorize certain construction at military installations, and for other purposes. No override attempt made.
  13. September 10, 1965: Vetoed , A bill to incorporate the Youth Councils on Civic Affairs, and for other purposes. No override attempt made.
  14. October 4, 1965: Vetoed , A bill for the relief of Cecil Graham. No override attempt made.
  15. October 20, 1965: Vetoed , A bill for the relief of Theodore Zissu. No override attempt made.
  16. July 19, 1966: Vetoed , A bill to provide for cost-of-living adjustments in star route contract prices. No override attempt made.
  17. September 12, 1966: Vetoed , A bill to strengthen the financial condition of the Employees' Life Insurance Fund created by the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Act, to provide certain adjustments in amounts of group life and group accidental death and dismemberment insurance under such Act, and for other purposes. No override attempt made.
  18. October 10, 1966: Vetoed , A bill for the relief of Gilmour C. MacDonald, colonel, U.S. Air Force (retired). No override attempt made.
  19. October 22, 1966: Pocket vetoed , A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make disposition of geothermal resources, and for other purposes. The bill was presented to the president on November 2, 1966.
  20. October 22, 1966: Pocket vetoed , A bill for the relief of Miss Elisabeth von Oberndorff. The bill was presented to the president on October 28, 1966.
  21. October 22, 1966: Pocket vetoed , A bill relating to crime and criminal procedure in the District of Columbia. The bill was presented to the president on October 25, 1966.
  22. October 22, 1966: Pocket vetoed , A bill to establish the past and present location of a certain portion of the Colorado River for certain purposes. The bill was presented to the president on October 25, 1966.
  23. August 12, 1967: Vetoed , An act to amend Title 5, United States Code, to provide additional group life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance for Federal employees, and to strengthen the financial condition of the Employees' Life Insurance Fund. No override attempt made.
  24. December 8, 1967: Vetoed , A bill to grant the masters of certain U.S. vessels a lien on those vessels for their wages and for certain disbursements. No override attempt made.
  25. December 15, 1967: Pocket vetoed , A bill for the relief of Dr. George H. Edler. The bill was presented to the president on December 12, 1967
  26. September 4, 1968, Pocket vetoed , A bill to amend section 202 of the Agricultural Act of 1956. The bill was presented to the president on July 31, 1968. The pocket veto occurred during a recess from August 2, 1968, until September 4, 1968.
  27. October 14, 1968: Pocket vetoed , A bill to amend Title II of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to create an independent Federal Maritime Administration, and for other purposes. The bill was presented to the president on October 18, 1968.
  28. October 14, 1968: Pocket vetoed , A bill for the relief of Joseph H. Bonduki. The bill was presented to the president on October 14, 1968.
  29. October 14, 1968: Pocket vetoed , A bill for the relief of Robert L. Miller and Mildred M. Miller. The bill was presented to the president on October 12, 1968.
  30. October 14, 1968: Pocket vetoed , A bill to render the assertion of land claims by the United States based upon accretion or avulsion subject to legal and equitable defense to which private persons asserting such claims would be subject. The bill was presented to the president on October 14, 1968.

Richard Nixon

Twenty-six regular vetoes, seventeen pocket vetoes. Seven were overridden<!-- (Item Nos. 2255, 2257, 2262, 2267, 2270, 2292, and 2293) What do these "Item Nos." mean?-->. There were no vetoes in the first session of the Ninety-first Congress.

  • December 10, 1971 – Vetoed the Comprehensive Child Development Act.
  • October 17, 1972 – Veto of the Clean Water Act was overridden by Congress (date is enactment date).
  • November 7, 1973 – Veto of the War Powers Act of 1973 was overridden in Congress (date is enactment date).
  • January 4, 1974 – Pocket vetoed a bill to provide federal funds for local purchases of buses for mass transportation.
  • March 6, 1974 – Vetoed an emergency energy bill

Gerald Ford

Forty eight regular vetoes, eighteen pocket vetoes. Twelve were overridden.

  • October 29, 1974 – Veto of H.R. 6624 Private Relief Bill for Burt, Pope and Kennedy (Miami Herald Reporters)

This bill would have provided for payment, "as a gratuity," of $45,482 to Mr. Burt and for similar payments of $36,750 each to the widow and son of Douglas E. Kennedy for injuries and other damages Mr. Burt and Mr. Kennedy sustained as a result of gunshot wounds inflicted by U.S. military personnel in the Dominican Republic in 1965.

Jimmy Carter

  • 1977: Vetoed Department of Energy authorization bill.
  • 1978: Vetoed bill to reduce federal firefighters' work week.

Congress overrode two of Carter's vetoes. Not since 1952 had a Congress controlled by the president's own party overridden a veto. On June 5, 1980, Carter vetoed a bill that repealed a crude oil import fee of $4.62 per barrel. The same day, the House voted 335–34 to override Carter's veto. The Senate followed suit the next day by 68 votes to 10. Carter's own party (the Democrats) had a 59-seat majority (276–157) in the House, and an eight-seat majority (58–41) in the Senate. In August 1980, Congress overrode his veto of a veterans' health care bill, by votes of 401–5 in the House, and 85–0 in the Senate.

Ronald Reagan

Thirty-nine normal vetoes, thirty-nine pocket vetoes. Nine were overridden. The following is an incomplete list of Reagan's vetoes.

  1. November 23, 1981: Vetoed , Continuing Appropriations for fiscal year 1982. No override attempt made.
  2. December 30, 1981: Pocket vetoed , To amend the Federal Bankruptcies Act of 1978.
  3. March 20, 1982: Vetoed , Standby Petroleum Allocation Act of 1982. Override attempt failed in Senate, 58–36 ( needed).
  4. June 1, 1982: Vetoed , Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Act of 1982. No override attempt made.
  5. June 24, 1982: Vetoed , Urgent Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1982. Override attempt failed in House, 253–151 ( needed).
  6. June 25, 1982: Vetoed , Urgent Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1982. Override attempt failed in House, 242–169 ( needed).
  7. July 8, 1982: Vetoed , A bill to amend the manufacturing clause of the copyright law. Overridden by House, 324–86 ( needed). Overridden by Senate, 84–9 ( needed), and enacted as over the president's veto.
  8. August 28, 1982: Vetoed , Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1982. Overridden by House, 301–117 ( needed). Overridden by Senate, 60–30 ( needed), and enacted as over the president's veto.
  9. October 15, 1982: Vetoed , A bill to amend section 12 of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978. No override attempt made.
  10. October 22, 1982: Vetoed , Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1983. No override attempt made.
  11. January 3, 1983: Pocket vetoed , A bill to amend and extend the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978, and for other purposes.
  12. January 14, 1983: Pocket vetoed , A bill to make certain technical amendments to improve implementation of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981.
  13. May 24, 1990: Vetoed , Amtrak Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 1990. Overridden by House, 294–123 ( needed). Override attempt failed in Senate, 64–36 ( needed).
  14. June 15, 1990: Vetoed , Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1990. Overridden by House, 327–93 ( needed). Override attempt failed in Senate, 65–35 ( needed).
  15. June 29, 1990: Vetoed , Family and Medical Leave Act of 1990. Override attempt failed in House, 232–195 ( needed).
  16. October 5, 1990: Vetoed , Textile, Apparel, and Footwear Trade Act of 1990. Override attempt failed in House, 275–152 ( needed).
  17. October 6, 1990: Vetoed , Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1991, and for other purposes. Override attempt failed in House, 260–138 ( needed).
  18. October 22, 1990: Vetoed , Civil Rights Act of 1990. Override attempt failed in Senate, 66–34 ( needed).
  19. November 10, 1990: Pocket vetoed , Orphan Drug Amendments of 1990.
  20. November 17, 1990: Pocket vetoed , Omnibus Export Amendments Act of 1990.

Bill Clinton

Thirty-six vetoes, one pocket veto. Two were overridden.

  1. June 7, 1995: Vetoed , Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Additional Disaster Assistance and Recissions for Fiscal Year 1995. No override attempt made.
  2. August 11, 1995: Vetoed , Bosnia and Herzegovina Self-Defense Act of 1995. No override attempt made.
  3. October 3, 1995: Vetoed , Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, FY 1996. No override attempt made.
  4. November 13, 1995: Vetoed , Second Continuing Resolution for fiscal year 1996. No override attempt made.
  5. November 13, 1995: Vetoed , Temporary Increase in the statutory debt limit. No override attempt made.
  6. December 6, 1995: Vetoed , Seven-Year Balanced Budget Reconciliation Act of 1995. No override attempted.
  7. December 18, 1995: Vetoed , Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996. Override attempt failed in House, 239–177 ( needed).
  8. December 18, 1995: Vetoed , Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996. No override attempted.
  9. December 19, 1995: Vetoed , Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Overridden by House, 319–100 ( needed). Overridden by Senate, 68–30 ( needed), and enacted as over veto.
  10. December 19, 1995: Vetoed , Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996. Override attempt failed in House, 240–159 ( needed).
  11. December 28, 1995: Vetoed , National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996. Override attempt failed in House, 240–156 ( needed).
  12. January 9, 1996: Vetoed , Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1995. No override attempt made.
  13. April 10, 1996: Vetoed , banning partial birth abortions. Overridden in House, 285–137 ( needed). Override attempt failed in Senate, 58–40 ( needed).
  14. April 12, 1996: Vetoed , Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1996 and 1997. Override attempt failed in House, 234–188 ( needed).
  15. May 2, 1996: Vetoed , Common Sense Product Liability Legal Reform Act of 1996. Override attempt failed in House, 258–163 ( needed).
  16. July 30, 1996: Vetoed , Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act of 1995. No override attempt made.
  17. October 2, 1996: Vetoed , Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Eminent Domain Prevention Act. No override attempt made.
  18. June 9, 1997: Vetoed , Supplemental Appropriations and Recissions Act, FY 1997. No override attempt made.
  19. October 10, 1997: Vetoed , the second attempted partial birth abortion ban. Overridden by House, 296–132 ( needed). Override attempt failed in Senate, 64–36 ( needed).
  20. November 13, 1997: Vetoed , a line item veto override bill. Overridden by House, 347–69 ( needed). Overridden by Senate, 78–20 ( needed), and enacted as over the president's veto.
  21. May 20, 1998: Vetoed , District of Columbia Student Opportunity Scholarship Act of 1997. No override attempt made.
  22. June 23, 1998: Vetoed , Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1998. No override attempt made.
  23. July 21, 1998: Vetoed , Education Savings and School Excellence Act of 1998. No override attempt made.
  24. October 7, 1998: Vetoed , Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999. No override attempt made.
  25. October 21, 1998: Vetoed , Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998. No override attempt made.
  26. September 23, 1999: Vetoed , Taxpayer Refund and Relief Act of 1999. No override attempt made.
  27. September 28, 1999: Vetoed , District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000. No override attempt made.
  28. October 18, 1999: Vetoed , Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000. No override attempt made.
  29. October 25, 1999: Vetoed , Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000. No override attempt made.
  30. November 3, 1999: Vetoed , FY 2000 District of Columbia and Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. No override attempt made.
  31. April 25, 2000: Vetoed , Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2000. Override attempt failed in Senate, 64–35 ( needed).
  32. August 5, 2000: Vetoed , Marriage Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2000. Override attempt failed in House, 270–158 ( needed).
  33. August 31, 2000: Vetoed , Death Tax Elimination Act of 2000. Override attempt failed in House, 274–157 ( needed).
  34. October 7, 2000: Vetoed , Energy and Water Appropriations Act, 2001. Overridden by House, 315–98 on October 11 ( needed). No attempt made in Senate.
  35. October 30, 2000: Vetoed , Legislative Branch and the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001. No override attempt made.
  36. November 4, 2000: Vetoed , Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001. No override attempt made.
  37. December 19, 2000: Pocket vetoed , Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2000.

George W. Bush

Twelve vetoes, including one veto whose status is disputed (Bush claimed it was a pocket veto; the Senate considers it to have been a regular veto):

  1. July 19, 2006: Vetoed , Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, a bill to ease restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Override attempt failed in House, 235–193 ( needed).
  2. May 1, 2007: Vetoed , U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. Override attempt failed in House, 222–203 ( needed). A later version of the bill that excluded certain aspects of the initial legislation that the president disapproved of , was enacted as with the president's approval.
  3. June 20, 2007: Vetoed , Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007. No override attempt made.
  4. October 3, 2007: Vetoed , Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 ("SCHIP"). Override attempt failed in House, 273–156 ( votes needed).
  5. November 2, 2007: Vetoed , Water Resources Development Act of 2007. Overridden by House, 361–54 ( votes needed). Overridden by Senate, 79–14 ( needed), and enacted as over the president's veto.
  6. November 13, 2007: Vetoed , Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008. Override attempt failed in House, 277–141 ( votes needed).
  7. December 12, 2007: Vetoed , Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007. Override attempt failed in House, 260–152 (275 votes needed).
  8. December 28, 2007: Vetoed , National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. No override attempt made. A later version of the bill that changed a minor provision of which the president disapproved was quickly passed by Congress () and was enacted with the president's approval as on January 28, 2008.
  9. March 8, 2008: Vetoed , Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. Override attempt failed in House, 225–188 (276 votes needed).
  10. May 21, 2008: Vetoed , 2007 U.S. Farm Bill. Overridden by House, 316–108 (283 votes needed). Overridden by Senate, 82–13 (64 votes needed). Enacted as Pub.L. 110–234 over the president's veto. Due to a clerical error, this act was repealed by Pub.L. 110–246.
  11. June 18, 2008: Vetoed , 2007 U.S. Farm Bill, re-passed by Congress to correct a clerical error in HR 2419. Overridden by House, 317–109 (284 votes required). Overridden by Senate, 80–14 (63 votes needed). Enacted as Pub.L. 110–246 over the president's veto.
  12. July 15, 2008: Vetoed , Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. Overridden by House, 383–41 (283 votes required.) Overridden by Senate, 70–26 (64 votes required). Enacted as over the president's veto.

Barack Obama

President Obama issued twelve vetoes, of which the status of five is disputed (Obama considered them pocket vetoes, but since he returned the parchments to Congress, the Senate considers them regular vetoes). They are:

  1. December 30, 2009: Vetoed , a joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2010, and for other purposes. Override attempt failed in House 143–245, 1 present (259 needed).
  2. October 7, 2010: Vetoed , the Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010. Override attempt failed in House, 185–235 ( needed). Override attempt failed in Senate, 62–36 ( needed).
  3. March 31, 2015: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation case procedures. Veto message tabled in Senate 96–3.
  4. October 22, 2015: Vetoed , the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. No override attempt made.
  5. December 19, 2015: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units". Override attempt failed in House, 241–186 (285 needed).
  6. January 19, 2016: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the definition of "waters of the United States" under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Cloture on the veto message not invoked in Senate 52–40 (60 needed).
  7. June 8, 2016: Vetoed , a joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to the definition of the term "Fiduciary". Override attempt failed in House, 239–180 (280 needed).
  8. July 22, 2016: Vetoed , the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2016. No override attempt made.
  9. September 23, 2016: Vetoed , the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. Overridden by Senate, 97–1 (66 needed). Overridden by House, 348–77, 1 present (284 votes needed). Enacted as over the president's veto.

Donald Trump (first presidency)

  1. March 15, 2019: Vetoed , a joint resolution relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019. Override attempt failed in House, 248–181 ( votes needed).
  2. April 16, 2019: Vetoed , a joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress. Override attempt failed in Senate, 53–45 ( votes needed).
  3. July 24, 2019: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services. Override attempt failed in Senate, 45–40 ( votes needed)
  4. July 24, 2019: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services. Override attempt failed in Senate, 53–36 ( votes needed).
  5. May 6, 2020: Vetoed , a joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. Override attempt failed in Senate, 49–44 ( votes needed)
  6. May 29, 2020: Vetoed a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability". Override attempt failed in House, 238–173 ( votes needed).
  7. December 23, 2020: Vetoed , the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. Overridden by House, 322–87 ( votes needed). Overridden by Senate, 81–13 (63 votes needed). Enacted as over the president's veto
  8. January 1, 2021: Vetoed , the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act. No override attempt made.

Joe Biden

Biden is the first president since Lyndon B. Johnson to have none of his vetoes overridden by Congress.

  1. March 20, 2023: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights". Override attempt failed in House on March 23, 2023, 219–200 (280 votes needed).
  2. April 6, 2023: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'". Override attempt failed in House on April 18, 2023, 227–196 (282 votes needed).
  3. May 16, 2023: Vetoed , a joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord With Presidential Proclamation 10414". Override attempt failed in House on May 24, 2023, 214–205 (280 votes needed).
  4. May 25, 2023: Vetoed , a joint resolution disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. Override attempt failed in House on June 13, 2023, 233–197 (287 votes needed).
  5. June 7, 2023: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans". Override attempt failed in House on June 21, 2023, 221–206 (285 votes needed).
  6. June 14, 2023: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards". Override attempt failed in Senate on June 21, 2023, 50–50 (67 votes needed).
  7. September 26, 2023: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status with Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment". Override attempt failed in Senate on September 28, 2023, 47–46 (62 votes needed).
  8. September 26, 2023: Vetoed , a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Northern Long-Eared Bat". Override attempt failed in Senate on September 28, 2023, 47–45 (62 votes needed).
  9. December 19, 2023: Vetoed S.J.Res. 32, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to “Small Business Lending Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B)". Override attempt failed in Senate on January 10, 2024, 54–45 (67 votes needed).
  10. January 24, 2024: Vetoed S.J.Res. 38, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Highway Administration relating to “Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers”. Override attempt failed in Senate on February 29, 2024, 50–47 (65 votes needed).
  11. May 3, 2024: Vetoed H.J.Res. 98, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status". Override attempt failed in House on May 7, 2024, 214–191 (270 votes needed).
  12. May 31, 2024: Vetoed H.J.Res. 109, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to "Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121". Override attempt failed in House July 11, 2024, 228–184 (274 votes needed).
  13. December 23, 2024: Vetoed S. 4199, the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2024. No override attempt made.

Donald Trump (second presidency)

  1. December 29, 2025: Vetoed H.R. 131, the "Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act". Override attempt failed in House January 8, 2026, 248–177
  2. December 29, 2025: Vetoed H.R. 504, the "Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act".