Who has the authority to veto legislation in the United States?

The authority to veto legislation in the United States rests with the President. This power is outlined in Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes the process by which the President can refuse to sign a bill into law. When a bill is presented to the President after being passed by both houses of Congress, the President can either sign the bill into law or exercise the veto. The veto serves as a significant check on legislative power, as Congress can only override this decision with a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House.

This process is critical for maintaining a balance of power within the federal government. The Senate and the House of Representatives, while having the authority to create and pass legislation, do not possess the power to veto bills; they can only propose and approve them. Similarly, the Supreme Court's role is to interpret the law and ensure that legislation adheres to the Constitution, but it does not have the authority to veto legislation. Therefore, the President's veto power is central to the legislative process and exemplifies the system of checks and balances designed by the framers of the Constitution.