When Congress and the President Collide: Why Presidents Veto Legislation

This study considers the major explanations for the use of the veto by utilizing multivariate time-series analysis. It concludes that many explanations found in the conventional wisdom are overrated or inaccurate. But it also shows that a few variables can explain one-half to two-thirds of the variation in the use of the veto from year-to-year. Among the most influential determinants of the use of the veto are the scope of government, opposition control of Congress, and whether the president has had a veto overridden. Among the most overrated explanations are that international crises limit the use of the veto, and that Democrats use the veto more than Republicans.