Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

Which of the following is true of a presidential veto of a piece of legislation?

1. It is not binding unless supported by the cabinet

2. It is rarely overridden by Congress

3. It can only be sustained on revenue bills

4. It is automatically reviewed by the United States Supreme Court

The correct answer is: It is rarely overridden by Congress

A presidential veto is a significant power that a president holds, allowing them to reject legislation passed by Congress. The statement that a veto is rarely overridden by Congress accurately reflects the challenges Congress faces in attempting to override a veto. In order to override a presidential veto, both the House of Representatives and the Senate must achieve a two-thirds majority in favor of the legislation. This high threshold often makes it difficult for Congress to successfully counter a president's decision, resulting in the veto being upheld in most cases. Other options do not accurately describe the nature of a presidential veto. For instance, a veto does not require support from the cabinet to be binding, it applies to all types of legislation—not just revenue bills—and there is no automatic review by the Supreme Court unless the legislation is challenged in a legal context. These distinctions underscore the unique and powerful role of the presidential veto within the legislative process.