In the legislative process, the president has the power to veto bills that he or she does not support. This lesson has student look at the legislative process and examine the role that vetoes, and threats of vetoes play in how a bill becomes a law. This lesson can be viewed in a traditional classroom or adapted to classroom using one-to-one designs or flipped models.
WARM-UP:
To begin class, have the students answer the following question. Review the students' responses to correct any misconceptions before continuing with the lesson.
INTRODUCTION:
Either as a class or individually, have the students view the following two video clips and answer the questions for each. Review the students' answers and address any misunderstandings about the legislative process before moving to the next step.
VIDEO CLIP: Rep. Tom Cole on the Legislative Process (2:09)
Using Representative Cole's example, describe how the legislative process works.
What role does the House and the Senate play in the lawmaking process?
What two options does the president have in this process?
How does the veto and veto override process work?
VIDEO CLIP: Sen. Cornyn (R-TX) on Veto Threats
What is meant by a veto threat?
BRAINSTORM ACTIVITY:
In partners or small groups, have the students brainstorm situations and reasons why presidents might threaten a veto or veto bills passed by Congress. Review their ideas before moving on to the next step. Have them consider the following factors when brainstorming:
Upcoming elections
Party control of Congress
Influence of public opinion
Specific types of laws
EXPLORATION:
Have the students view the following examples of presidents vetoing bills passed by Congress. While viewing their explanations, have them use the handout linked below to take notes. Students should keep in mind the guiding question: In what situations have presidents used vetoes?
Handout: Veto Note Taking Chart (Google Doc)
Teachers can adjust this activity and assign individual students different clips and present their summaries and explanations to the class.
VIDEO CLIP: President George H. W. Bush Veto of 1990 Budget Resolution (3:10)
VIDEO CLIP: President Bill Clinton Veto of 1999 Tax Cut Legislation (3:37)
VIDEO CLIP: President George W. Bush Veto of Iraq War Supplemental Funding (3:06)
VIDEO CLIP: President Obama Veto Message for the Affordable Care Act Repeal (3:44)
VIDEO CLIP: President Obama and the Veto Override of the 9/11 Bill (2:51)
VIDEO CLIP: President Trump Veto of National Emergency Resolution (2:28)
CONCLUSION:
Have the students respond to the following prompt either through a class discussion or a written response using examples from the videos.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:
Presidential Veto Research- Using the U.S. Senate Summary of Bill Vetoed, 1789 choose a presidential veto from the website. Research and provide the following:
Subject of the Veto
Date of the Veto
Summary of the Bill
Summary of the Veto Message
Presidential Comparisons- Using the U.S. Senate Summary of Bills Vetoed, 1789 choose two presidents that served similar lengths of time in office. Compare the number of vetoes each president issued. Research the president and Congress during those periods and write an explanation of why those similarities and differences exist.
Additional Prompts:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of presidents using their veto power?
Why do presidents issue veto threats while bills are being debated in Congress?
How is the veto an example of checks and valances?
How have presidents used vetoes to influence legislation?
What influences a president's decision to veto a bill?