what is a pocket veto and how is it overcome

A pocket veto is when the president lets a bill die by not signing it while Congress has adjourned, so the bill cannot be returned for a normal veto override. It is “overcome” only by passing the bill again in a new session, because Congress cannot override a true pocket veto after adjournment.

How it works

Under the usual rule, the president has 10 days, excluding Sundays, to sign or veto a bill after it is presented. If Congress is still in session and the president does nothing, the bill becomes law without a signature. But if Congress adjourns before that 10-day window ends, the president’s silence blocks the bill from becoming law.

How it is overcome

A pocket veto is not overridden in the normal sense. Instead, lawmakers have to start over and pass the measure again in a new session. By contrast, a regular veto can be overturned by a two-thirds vote in both chambers of Congress.

Simple example

Imagine Congress sends a bill to the president with only a few days left before adjournment. If the president takes no action and Congress goes home before the 10 days expire, the bill expires rather than becoming law. To try again, Congress must reintroduce and repass the bill.

TL;DR

A pocket veto is a bill-killing move that happens only when Congress adjourns during the president’s 10-day review period. It is “overcome” by restarting the legislative process, not by a veto override vote.