Which officer has the power to veto legislation?

• A. The President
• B. The Speaker of the House
• C. The Chief Justice
• D. The Vice President

Answer: (A)

The ability to veto legislation belongs to the President. After Congress passes a bill, the President can reject it by vetoing, sending the bill back with reasons. For the bill to still become law, both the Senate and the House must override that veto by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. This creates a crucial check on the legislative branch, requiring broad consensus to enact laws.

The Speaker of the House does not have a formal veto power; they can influence which bills advance, but they cannot unilaterally stop a bill from becoming law. The Chief Justice doesn’t veto; their role is to interpret laws and rule on constitutionality. The Vice President isn’t a veto-holder either; they mainly serve as President of the Senate and can cast tie-breaker votes, not veto legislation.