President

After receiving a bill passed by Congress, the President has 10 days, excluding Sundays and holidays, to decide the measure's fate. The President can:

• Sign it into public laws
• Veto the bill
• Choose not to take any action

If the President vetoes the legislation, it is returned to Congress. Congress then either accepts the veto or tries to override it. Any successful challenge to the veto requires two-thirds of both Chambers present and voting to override. If one Chamber sustains the veto, the bill is dead. If the President does not act on the bill while Congress is still in session, the bill becomes law without his signature. If he ignores it and the Congress has adjourned sine die (final adjournment), the bill has been pocket vetoed.

If the President makes a statement when he signs or vetoes a bill, the text appears in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. The message he sends to Congress when he vetoes a bill is printed in the Congressional Record, and occasionally is printed as a House Document.