CHAPTER TEn • THE PREsidEnCy 231
State of the
Union Message
An annual message to
Congress in which the
president proposes a
legislative program. The
message is addressed not
only to Congress but also
to the American people
and to the world.
Veto Message
The president’s formal
explanation of a veto,
which accompanies the
vetoed legislation when it
is returned to Congress.presidents have been almost completely unsuccessful in getting their legislative programs
implemented by Congress. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson, however,
saw much of their proposed legislation put into effect.Creating the Congressional Agenda. In modern times, the president has played a
dominant role in creating the congressional agenda. In the president’s annual state of the
union message, which is required by the Constitution (Article II, Section 3) and is usually
given in late January shortly after Congress reconvenes, the president presents a legislative
program. The message gives a broad, comprehensive view of what the president wishes
the legislature to accomplish during its session. It is as much a message to the American
people and to the world as it is to Congress. Its impact on public opinion can determine
the way in which Congress responds to the president’s agenda.
Since 1913, the president has delivered the State of the Union message in a formal
address to Congress. Today, this address is one of the great ceremonies of American gov-
ernance, and many customs have grown up around it. For example, one cabinet mem-
ber, the “designated survivor,” stays away to ensure that the country will always have
a president even if someone manages to blow up the Capitol building. Everyone gives
the pre sident an initial standing ovation out of respect for the office, but this applause
does not necessarily represent support for the individual who holds the office. During the
speech, senators and House members either applaud or remain silent to indicate their
opinion of the policies that the president announces.Getting legislation Passed. The president can propose legislation, but Congress is not
required to pass—or even introduce—any of the administration’s bills. How, then, does
the president get those proposals made into law? One way is by exercising the power of
persuasion. The president writes to, telephones, and meets with various congressional
leaders. He or she makes public announcements to influence public opinion. Finally, as
head of his or her party, the president exercises leadership over the party’s members in
Congress. A president whose party holds a majority in both chambers of Congress usually
has an easier time getting legislation passed than does a president who faces a hostile
Congress.saying no to legislation. The president has the power to say no to legislation through
use of the veto,^8 by which the White House returns a bill unsigned to Congress with a
veto message attached. Because the Constitution requires that every bill passed by the
House and the Senate be sent to the president before it becomes law, the president must
act on each bill:- If the bill is signed, it becomes law.
- If the bill is not sent back to Congress after ten congressional working days, it becomes
law without the president’s signature. - The president can reject the bill and send it back to Congress with a veto message set-
ting forth objections. Congress then can change the bill, hoping to secure presidential
approval, and repass it. Or Congress can simply reject the president’s objections by
overriding the veto with a two-thirds roll-call vote of the members present in both the
House and the Senate. - If the president refuses to sign the bill and Congress adjourns within ten working days
after the bill has been submitted to the president, the bill is killed for that session of - Veto in Latin means “I forbid.”
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