Vetoes by President Ronald Reagan

President Ronald W. Reagan vetoed seventy-eight bills.

100th Congress, 2nd Session (1988)
Regular Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

S.557	Civil Rights Restoration Act	Mar 16	S.Doc. 100-28	Veto overridden by the House on Mar 22 by vote No. 41 (292-133). Veto overridden by the Senate on Mar 22 by vote No. 67 (73-24). Veto overridden

H.R.3	Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act	May 24	H.Doc. 100-200	Veto overridden by the House on May 24 by vote No. 150 (308-113). The Senate sustained the veto on Jun 8 by vote No. 169 (61-37).

H.R.4264	National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1989	Aug 03	H.Doc. 100-220	The Senate ordered to table the veto on Aug 4. unchallenged

H.R.1154	Textile Apparel and Footwear Trade Act	Sep 28	H.Doc. 100-235	The House sustained the veto on Oct 4 by vote No. 426 (272-152).

S.1259	To direct the Secretary of the Interior to permit access across certain Federal lands in the state of Arkansas.	Oct 11	S.Doc. 100-39	unchallenged

Pocket Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

S.437	To amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to permit prepayment of loans made to state and local development companies		1988 H. Jour., 2579	unchallenged

S.508	Whistleblower Protection Act		1988 H. Jour., 2578	unchallenged

S.1081	To establish a coordinated National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research program		1988 H. Jour., 2579	unchallenged

S.2751	Montana Natural Resources Protection and Utilization Act		1988 H. Jour., 2579	unchallenged

H.R.2596	Admiralty Island National Monument Land Management Act		1988 H. Jour., 2579	unchallenged

H.R.3621	Southern California Indian Land Transfer Act		1988 H. Jour., 2576	unchallenged

H.R.3966	Children's Television Act		1988 H. Jour., 2576	unchallenged

H.R.4432	To amend title 13, United States Code, to require certain detailed tabulations relating to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the decennial censuses of population		1988 H. Jour., 2577	unchallenged

H.R.4833	Nurse Education Reauthorization Act of 1988		1988 H. Jour., 2577	unchallenged

H.R.5043	Post-Employment Restrictions Act		1988 H. Jour., 2577	unchallenged

H.R.5560	To amend the Public Health Service Act, and the Health Omnibus Programs Extension of 1988, to make technical corrections relating to Health Omnibus Programs Extension of 1988		1988 H. Jour., 2577	unchallenged

100th Congress, 1st Session (1987)
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

H.R.1	Water Quality Act	Jan 30	H.Doc. 100-26	Veto overridden by the House on Feb 3 by vote No. 14 (401-26). Veto overridden by the Senate on Feb 4 by vote No. 19 (86-14). Veto overridden

H.R.2	Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act	Mar 27	H.Doc. 100-53	Veto overridden by the House on Mar 31 by vote No. 39 (350-73). The Senate sustained the veto on Apr 1 by vote No. 51 (65-35).Veto overridden by the Senate on Apr 2 by vote No. 60 (67-33). Veto overridden

S.742	Fairness in Broadcasting Act	Jun 19	S.Doc. 100-10	Veto message referred to Committee on Commerce by vote No. 154 (53-45) on June 23, 1987. Unchallenged

99th Congress, 2nd Session (1986)
Regular Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

H.R.1404	To establish the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge and National Fish and Wildlife Service Training Center at Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia	Jan 14	H.Doc. 99-146	unchallenged

H.R.3384	Federal Employees Benefits Improvement Act	Jan 17	H.Doc. 99-145	unchallenged

H.R.2466	To make miscellaneous changes in laws affecting the United States Coast Guard	Feb 14	H.Doc. 99-166	unchallenged

S.J.Res.316	A joint resolution prohibiting the sale to Saudi Arabia of certain defense articles and related defense services	May 21	S.Doc. 99-30	The Senate sustained the veto on Jun 5 by vote No. 111 (66-34).

H.R.2316	For the relief of Paulette Mendes-Silva	Sep 25	H.Doc. 99-271	unchallenged

H.R.3247	Native American Programs Amendments of 1986	Sep 26	H.Doc. 99-274	unchallenged

H.R.4868	Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act	Sep 26	H.Doc. 99-273	Veto overridden by the House on Sep 29 by vote No. 425 (313-83). Veto overridden by the Senate on Oct 2 by vote No. 311 (78-21). Veto overridden

H.R.2787	To extend through fiscal year 1988 Small Business Administration Pilot Programs under section 8 of the Small Business Act	Oct 07	H.Doc. 99-276	unchallenged

H.J.Res.748	Continuing Appropriations, Fiscal Year 1987	Oct 09	H.Doc. 99-277	unchallenged

Pocket Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

S.593	For the relief of Merchants National Bank of Mobile, Alabama		196 S. Journ., 679	unchallenged

S.1128	Water Quality Renewal Act		196 S. Journ., 681	unchallenged

S.2057	To establish the President's Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention		196 S. Journ., 680	unchallenged

H.R.4175	To authorize appropriations for certain maritime programs of the Department of Transportation and the Federal Maritime Commission, Fiscal Year 1987		196 S. Journ., 679	unchallenged

H.R.4961	To amend the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1987-1989		196 S. Journ., 680	unchallenged

H.R.5465	National Appliance Energy Conservation Act		196 S. Journ., 680	unchallenged

H.R.5495	National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1987		196 S. Journ., 681	unchallenged

99th Congress, 1st Session (1985)
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

H.R.1096	African Famine Relief and Recovery Act	Mar 6	H.Doc. 99-37	unchallenged

H.R.2409	Health Research Extension Act	Nov 8	131 Cong. Rec. 31379	Veto overridden by the House on Nov 12 by vote No. 400 (380-32). Veto overridden by the Senate on Nov 20 by vote No. 321 (89-7). Veto overridden

H.R.3036	Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 1986	Nov 15	H.Doc. 99-130	unchallenged

H.R.1562	Textile and Apparel Trade Enforcement Act	Dec 17	H.Doc. 99-137	The House sustained the veto on Aug 6 by vote No. 290 (276-149).

98th Congress, 2nd Session (1984)
Regular Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

S.684	Water Resources Research Act	Feb 21	S.Doc. 98-24	Veto overridden by the House on Mar 22 by vote No. 53 (309-81). Veto overridden by the Senate on Mar 21 by vote No. 35 (86-12). Veto overridden

S.2436	Public Broadcasting Amendments Act	Aug 29	S.Doc. 98-32	unchallenged

H.R.1362	For the relief of Joseph Karel Hasek	Oct 08	H.Doc. 98-274	unchallenged

Pocket Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

S.540	Health Research Extension Act	,	131 Cong. Rec. 731	unchallenged

S.607	Public Broadcasting Amendments	,	131 Cong. Rec. 732	unchallenged

S.1097	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atmospheric and Oceanic Research and Services Act of 1984	,	131 Cong. Rec. 733	unchallenged

S.1967	To compensate the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribe of the Fort Belknap Indian Community for irrigation construction expenditures	,	131 Cong. Rec. 732	unchallenged

S.2166	Indian Health Care Amendments of 1984	,	131 Cong. Rec. 733	unchallenged

S.2574	Health Professions and Services Amendments of 1984	,	131 Cong. Rec. 732	unchallenged

H.R.452	For the relief of Jerome J. Hartmann and Rita J. Hartmann		130 Cong. Rec. 32349	unchallenged

H.R.723	For the relief of Marsha D. Christopher		130 Cong. Rec. 32349	unchallenged

H.R.999	American Conservation Corps Act of 1983		130 Cong. Rec. 32349	unchallenged

H.R.2859	For the relief of John Brima Charles		130 Cong. Rec. 32349	unchallenged

H.R.5172	National Bureau of Standards Authorization for Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985		130 Cong. Rec. 32350	unchallenged

H.R.5479	To amend Section 504 of Title 5 and Section 2412 of Title 28, United States Code, with respect to awards of expenses of certain agency and court proceedings		130 Cong. Rec. 32350	unchallenged

H.R.5760	To declare that the United States holds in trust for the Cocopah Indian Tribe of Arizona certain land in Yuma County, Arizona		130 Cong. Rec. 32350	unchallenged

H.R.6248	Armed Career Criminal Act		130 Cong. Rec. 32349	unchallenged

98th Congress, 1st Session (1983)
Regular Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

S.366	Mashantucket Pequot Indian Claims Settlement Act	Apr 05	S.Doc. 98-4	unchallenged

S.973	Technical amendments to the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act	Jun 17	S.Doc. 98-8	unchallenged

H.R.3564	Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to make an earlier announcement of the 1984-crop feed grain program	Aug 12	H.Doc. 98-95

H.J.Res.338	Corrections to Public Law 98-63 - Student Financial Assistance	Aug 13	H.Doc. 98-94	unchallenged

S.J.Res.149	Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from imposing a milk assessment	Aug 23	S.Doc. 98-14	unchallenged

H.R.1062	To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain lands in Lane County, Oregon	Oct 19	H.Doc. 98-124	Veto overridden by the House on Oct 25 by vote No. 413 (297-125). Veto overridden by the Senate on Oct 25 by vote No. 314 (95-0). Veto overridden

Pocket Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

H.R.4042	To continue in effect the current certification requirements with respect to El Salvador ²	Nov 30		unchallenged

97th Congress, 2nd Session (1982)
Regular Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

S.1503	Standby Petroleum Allocation Act of 1982	Mar 20	S.Doc. 97-25	The Senate sustained the veto on Mar 24 by vote No. 63 (58-36).

H.R.5118	To provide water and settle water rights to the Papago Tribe of Arizona	Jun 1	H.Doc. 97-191	unchallenged

H.R.5922	Supplemental Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 1982	Jun 24	H.Doc. 97-204	The House sustained the veto on Jun 24 by vote No. 174 (253-151).

H.R.6682	Supplemental Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 1982	Jun 25	H.Doc. 97-205	The House sustained the veto on Jul 13 by vote No. 179 (242-169).

H.R.6198	To amend the manufacturing clause of the Copyright Law	Jul 8	H.Doc. 97-208	Veto overridden by the House on Jul 13 by vote No. 178 (324-86). Veto overridden by the Senate on Jul 13 by vote No. 209 (84-9). Veto overridden

H.R.6863	Supplemental Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 1982	Aug 28	H.Doc. 97-231	Veto overridden by the House on Sep 9 by vote No. 316 (301-117). Veto overridden by the Senate on Sep 10 by vote No. 300 (60-30). Veto overridden

H.R.1371	To amend section 12 of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978	Oct 15	H.Doc. 97-253	unchallenged

S.2577	Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1983	Oct 22	S.Doc. 97-37	unchallenged

Pocket Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

S.2623	To amend the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978	Jan 20, 1983	128 Cong. Rec. 33440	unchallenged

H.R.9	Florida Wilderness Act	Jan 20, 1983	128 Cong. Rec. 33441	unchallenged

H.R.3963	Violent Crime and Drug Enforcement Improvements Act	Jan 20, 1983	128 Cong. Rec. 33442	unchallenged

H.R.5858	For the relief of Mocatta and Goldsmid, Limited, Sharps, Pixley, and Company, Limited, and Primary Metal and Mineral Corporation	Jan 20, 1983	128 Cong. Rec. 33440	unchallenged

H.R.7336	Technical amendments to the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981	Jan 20, 1983	128 Cong. Rec. 33440	unchallenged

97th Congress, 1st Session (1981)
Regular Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

H.J.Res.357	Continuing Appropriations, Fiscal Year 1982	Nov 23	H.Doc. 97-115	unchallenged

Pocket Vetoes
Bill No.	Subject	Veto Date	Presidential Message	Status

H.R.4353	To amend the Federal Bankruptcies Act of 1978 ¹	,	127 Cong. Rec. 31894	unchallenged


1. This veto was the subject of a court case brought by a private corporation which raised the constitutionality of a pocket veto between sessions of the 97th Congress. The case did not result in any reported decision (Fidelity Mortgage Investors, No. 75-B-154 (Bkrtcy. S.D.N.Y.) and Lifetime Communities Inc. v. Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, No. 81-Civ.-0544 (KTD)(S.D.N.Y.)).

2. This veto was the subject of Barnes v. Carmen (582 F. Supp. 163 (D.D.C. 1984)). The district court upheld the President's veto citing the Supreme Court's Pocket Veto Case. This ruling was overturned upon appeal in Barnes v. Kline (759 F.2d 21 (D.C. Cir. 1985)). Since Congress had appointed officials to receive messages, the court concluded that the use of the pocket veto was unconstitutional. Upon appeal, the Supreme Court ruled that the issue was moot since the provisions of H.R. 4042 had no effect after Sept. 30, 1984 (Burke v. Barnes, 479 U.S. 361 (1978)). The bill was neither signed, nor returned, nor promulgated into law. It is counted here as a pocket veto.

Additional information about veto power and procedure can be found in the CRS reports, Veto Override Procedure in the House and Senate (PDF) and Regular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: An Overview (PDF).