Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

What action can Congress take to override a presidential veto?

1. Request a judicial review

2. Pass the bill again with a simple majority

3. Pass the bill with a two-thirds majority in both houses

4. Amend the Constitution

The correct answer is: Pass the bill with a two-thirds majority in both houses

To override a presidential veto, Congress must pass the bill again with a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This requires a higher level of consensus among lawmakers than simply passing legislation with a simple majority. The two-thirds majority ensures that there is significant support for the legislation despite the president's objection, reflecting a strong agreement within Congress on the importance or necessity of the bill. Each house of Congress operates independently, and both must achieve this two-thirds threshold to successfully override the veto. If they do, the bill becomes law despite the president's refusal to sign it. This process exemplifies the system of checks and balances inherent in the U.S. government, ensuring that no single branch can dominate the legislative process entirely. The other actions, such as requesting judicial review, passing the bill with a simple majority, or amending the Constitution, do not pertain directly to the process of overriding a presidential veto and thus would not achieve the desired outcome of enacting the legislation despite the executive's objection.