1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Bill Presentment and the Pocket Veto at the Conclusion of a Congress January 11, 2021 After the sine die adjournment of a Congress, Members and staff may inquire about the status of legislation passed and sent to the Presi
2、dent in the days immediately prior to adjournment. This Insight provides information on the constitutional bill presentment period, options for presidential action and the pocket veto, and the resolution of a bills status during this circumstance. It does not discuss the controversy over inter- or i
3、ntra-session recesses and asserted pocket vetoes. Bill Presentment The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 7) provides that, for a bill to become law, it must be approved by both chambers of Congress and presented to the President for approval and signature. The President may sign a bill into law
4、within a10-day period (excluding Sundays), let the bill become law without signature, or veto the bill. This time period is referred to as the bill presentment period. Only Sundays are excluded from the 10-day period; holidays are treated as any other calendar day. Additionally, as depicted in Figur