pocket veto
noun
: an indirect veto of a legislative bill by an executive through retention of the bill unsigned until after adjournment of the legislature
pocket veto
transitive verb
Examples of pocket veto in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The pocket veto also raises problems relating to the separation of powers.
—
Kevin R. Kosar, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
The reasoning extends to assert that even without explicit congressional approval, funds could be allowed to lapse at year’s end in a manner mimicking a pocket veto of legislation.
—Doug Criscitello, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Lujan Grisham declined to sign the bill, killing the effort with a pocket veto.
—Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 11 May 2025
Lawmakers in his party in January—many of whom quietly wanted to preserve the pocket veto should Republicans reclaim their majority in fall’s election—still stood behind Biden.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 18 Mar. 2022
Brinkman's amendment would also eliminate the pocket veto.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 1 Sep. 2021
Whitmer spokeswoman Tiffany Brown confirmed the pocket veto but would not state the reason.
—Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 5 Jan. 2021
One possibility, however unlikely, is that Trump could attempt to kill the bill with a pocket veto, reports Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner chief congressional correspondent.
—Jamie McIntyre, Washington Examiner, 7 Dec. 2020
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Kevin R. Kosar, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
The reasoning extends to assert that even without explicit congressional approval, funds could be allowed to lapse at year’s end in a manner mimicking a pocket veto of legislation.
—Doug Criscitello, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Lujan Grisham declined to sign the bill, killing the effort with a pocket veto.
—Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 11 May 2025
Lawmakers in his party in January—many of whom quietly wanted to preserve the pocket veto should Republicans reclaim their majority in fall’s election—still stood behind Biden.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 18 Mar. 2022
Brinkman's amendment would also eliminate the pocket veto.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 1 Sep. 2021
Whitmer spokeswoman Tiffany Brown confirmed the pocket veto but would not state the reason.
—Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 5 Jan. 2021
One possibility, however unlikely, is that Trump could attempt to kill the bill with a pocket veto, reports Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner chief congressional correspondent.
—Jamie McIntyre, Washington Examiner, 7 Dec. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Pocket veto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pocket%20veto. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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