What is required to override a presidential veto?

To override a presidential veto, a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress is required. This process is established in Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution, which outlines the legislative process, including the powers of the President and Congress. When the President vetoes a bill, it does not become law unless Congress can demonstrate strong bipartisan support for it. Achieving a two-thirds majority signifies that a significant majority of representatives and senators agree with the bill's passage despite the President's objections.

The requirement for a two-thirds majority reflects the framers’ intent to ensure that only legislation with widespread support could override the executive’s veto, thus maintaining a balance of power between the legislative and executive branches. Options that suggest a majority vote in the Senate or a public referendum do not meet the necessary constitutional threshold required for overriding a veto. Similarly, a three-fourths majority in state legislatures pertains to the amendment process of the Constitution, not the legislative veto override process.