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Veto

Black's Law Dictionary · Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

Black's Law Dictionary

Lat I forbid. The veto-power is a power vested in the executive officer of seme governments to declare his refusal to assent to any bill or measure which has been passed by the legislature. It is either absolute or qualified, according as the effect of its exercise is either to destroy the bill finally or to prevent its becoming law unless again passed by a stated proportion of votes or with other formalities. Or the veto may be merely suspensive. See Pcople v. Board of Councilmen (Super. Buff.) 20 N. Y. Supp. 51.

Pocket veto. Non-approval of a legislative act by the president or state governor, with the result that it fails to become a law, not by a written disapproval, (a veto in the ordinary form,) but by remaining silent until the adjournment of the legislative body, when that adjournment takes place before the expiration of the period allowed by the constifution for the examination of the bill by the executive.