Presidential Veto Important Part of Constitutional Order

Andrew Jackson was bestowed with many nicknames: “Old Hickory,” “The Hero of New Orleans,” and “King Andy,” to name a few. Another that was given to him late in his public career was “Sir Veto.” This nickname invoked one of the constitutional powers of the presidency — the power to block a bill passed by Congress from becoming law. Though the exercise does fit the hard-headed character of the man (veto, after all, is Latin for “I forbid”), Jackson was hardly its most prolific user. While Jackson just made it into the double digits on this score, Grover Cleveland exercised the power more than 400 times in his first term. Franklin Roosevelt vetoed more than 600 bills during his extended tenure in office.

Nor was Jackson the first to veto a bill. Today, April 5, marks the 230th anniversary of the first presidential veto, when President George Washington used the power on the Apportionment Act of 1792, a bill that presented a new division of House seats within the states.

About the Author

Adam M. Carrington

Adam M. Carrington is an associate professor of politics at Hillsdale College.

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Andrew Jackson was bestowed with many nicknames: “Old Hickory,” “The Hero of New Orleans,” and “King Andy,” to name a few. Another that was given to him late in his public career was “Sir Veto.” This nickname invoked one of the constitutional powers of the presidency — the power to block a bill passed by Congress from becoming law. Though the exercise does fit the hard-headed character of the man (veto, after all, is Latin for “I forbid”), Jackson was hardly its most prolific user. While Jackson just made it into the double digits on this score, Grover Cleveland exercised the power more than 400 times in his first term. Franklin Roosevelt vetoed more than 600 bills during his extended tenure in office.

Nor was Jackson the first to veto a bill. Today, April 5, marks the 230th anniversary of the first presidential veto, when President George Washington used the power on the Apportionment Act of 1792, a bill that presented a new division of House seats within the states.