Key Takeaways:
– Biden issues 13th presidential veto against JUDGES Act, closing the year as the president with the most vetoes since Clinton.
– The vetoed JUDGES Act was set to give the incoming president and subsequent ones the power to expand the federal judiciary.
– Biden’s first veto was not until two years into his term.
President Biden Breaks Record
As President Joe Biden closes his term, he’s making headlines for an unusual reason. He has issued the most vetoes of any President since former President Bill Clinton. Biden seemed to have saved his veto power for the latter half of his term, with his first veto coming two years into his presidency. But he has capped off the year by reaching veto number thirteen.
The Bill that Met the Ax
The latest slap of the veto ax came down on the JUDGES Act days before Christmas. This bill proposed to give future presidents, starting with President-elect Donald Trump, the authority to expand the federal judiciary. However, Biden rejected it, marking his 13th veto since March 2023.
A Look at Presidential Vetoes in History
To understand the significance of this veto count, it’s helpful to look at past presidents. Former President Barack Obama, for instance, only used his veto power twelve times during his two terms. Other presidents like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush issued fewer vetoes than Biden in just four years.
Why the Veto Power is Important
The presidential veto is more than a show of political muscle. It also serves as a form of checks and balances in the U.S. government. When the president uses his or her veto power, it’s a clear message that they disagree with a bill passed by Congress. The veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress, but this is a feat that’s rarely achieved.
The JUDGES Act: What it Entailed
The JUDGES Act sparked some controversy. It proposed to give incoming presidents the power to dramatically reshape the federal judiciary. This encompassed not only the Supreme Court but also lower-level federal courts. Supporters argued that it would ensure a fair and balanced judiciary, while critics said it could be misused to ‘pack’ courts with judges holding specific leaning.
Biden’s Veto Streak: An Anomaly or a Trend?
As the year wraps up, political analysts are mulling over the significance of Biden’s unprecedented veto count. Is it a mere anomaly? Or could it signal a trend in the use of presidential veto power?
Looking at Biden’s vetoes, it’s clear he has not hesitated to exercise this executive power when it comes to controversial or politically significant pieces of legislation.
The Future of Presidential Vetoes
Whether future Presidents will follow Biden’s trend or take a more conservative approach to vetoes remains to be seen. What is clear, though, is that the veto pen is a powerful tool in the hands of the President. It enables them to influence legislation in significant ways.
President Biden’s veto spree may surprise some, but it also underscores the importance of engaging in critical, informed debates about proposed legislation. After all, the ability to influence the country’s laws rests not only with Congress but also heavily with the President.