What is a pocket veto?

A pocket veto occurs when the President does not sign a bill into law and Congress adjourns within ten days of presenting the bill to the President. This situation prevents the bill from becoming law without the President's explicit approval or a formal veto. The Constitution allows for this mechanism as a way for the President to indirectly decline to sign a bill without formally using the veto power. By not signing the bill and allowing Congress to adjourn, the pathway exists for the President to influence legislation quietly.

This is important to understand because it highlights the balance of power between the Executive and Legislative branches. The pocket veto is a strategic tool, allowing the President to either avoid making a potentially controversial decision on a bill or to use the timing of congressional sessions to their advantage.