vetoproofing

Veto-proofing refers to strategies or mechanisms designed to prevent a government executive, such as a president or governor, from using their veto power to block legislation. These methods are employed when a legislative body anticipates an executive veto and seeks to ensure a bill becomes law despite the executive's opposition.

One common veto-proofing technique is to include provisions within a bill that make it difficult or impossible to veto without also vetoing other essential or popular measures. This is often achieved through omnibus bills or by attaching legislation to must-pass appropriations bills, forcing the executive to accept the entire package or reject critical government funding. Another approach involves structuring legislation as an amendment to a constitution, which typically requires a different and more complex ratification process than a simple legislative vote, often bypassing the executive veto entirely.

In some parliamentary systems, a legislature can override a presidential or monarchical veto with a supermajority vote, effectively veto-proofing the bill by ensuring it can pass into law even after the executive's objection. The term also broadly encompasses any legislative maneuver that anticipates and attempts to circumvent a potential veto, aiming to secure the passage of a bill by anticipating and neutralizing executive opposition before it can be exercised. The effectiveness and appropriateness of veto-proofing tactics are often subjects of political debate, touching on the balance of power between different branches of government.