pocket veto

¹

noun

1. a veto of a bill brought about by the president's failure to sign it within ten days of the adjournment of Congress.
2. a similar action on the part of any legislative executive.

pocket-veto

²

[ pok-it-vee-toh ]

verb (used with object)

, pock·et-ve·toed, pock·et-ve·to·ing.

1. to veto (a bill) by exercising a pocket veto.

pocket veto

noun

1. the action of the President in retaining unsigned a bill passed by Congress within the last ten days of a session and thus causing it to die
2. any similar action by a state governor or other chief executive

pocket veto

1. An automatic veto of a bill that occurs if the president or governor neither signs nor vetoes a bill within ten days of receiving it — as long as the legislature adjourns during that period. If the legislature convenes during that period, the bill will automatically become law. A pocket veto cannot be overridden by the legislature, though the bill can be reintroduced at the next legislative session.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pocket veto¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Idioms and Phrases

The implied veto of a bill by the President of the United States or by a state governor or other executive who simply holds the bill without signing it until the legislature has adjourned. For example, The President used the pocket veto to kill the crime bill . This expression dates from the 1830s and alludes to putting the unsigned bill inside one's pocket.

Example Sentences

Senate Republicans criticized Lucas’ refusal to put the bill up for a committee vote, characterizing the move as a “pocket veto” of the governor’s priority.

From Seattle Times

The governor signaled she won’t sign the bill, which in effect kills it through a pocket veto and without an explanation of her objections.

From Washington Times

The Grand Rapids Chamber criticized the pocket veto of the tax deferment legislation.

From Washington Times

He said the governor’s pocket veto came “out of nowhere.”

From Washington Times

For six days, Trump has been threatening to tank this bill, possibly with a pocket veto.

From Salon