Short Version -- This is a summary of the important issues covered in this section of the U.S Constitution.
- All tax bills must originate in the House of Representatives.
- The Senate may propose amendments to tax bills.
- Bills passed by both houses must go to the President for approval.
- If the President signs a bill, it becomes law.
- If the President does not approve of a bill, he sends it back to Congress.
- If two-thirds of both houses approve the bill, it passes over the President's veto.
- If the President does not return the bill to Congress within 10 days (excluding Sundays), it automatically becomes law.
- If Congress adjourns before 10 days pass, an unsigned bill is effectively vetoed.
- Notes: Called a "Pocket Veto"
- All orders, resolutions or votes requiring the agreement of both houses must be submitted for the President's approval.
- If the President does not approve of any order, resolution or vote requiring the agreement of both houses, a two-thirds vote of the Senate and the House is needed to override his disapproval.
Long Version -- This is the text of the Actual U.S. Constitution.
All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other Bills.
Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States; if he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each House respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.
Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.