As of December 2008, President George W. Bush had vetoed only 12 bills since taking office in January 2001. Only one Presidential veto occurred before Democrats took control of Congress in January 2007. This is the fewest Presidential vetoes of any modern President; in March 2006 Bush set a 200-year veto record. Source: US Senate.
1. Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005
H.R. 810.
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research.
Veto Date: 19 July 2006
This was President Bush's first veto since taking office in January 2001. Presidential Message - pdf
The House sustained the veto on Jul 19 by vote No. 388 (235-193).
2. US Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability
HR 1591
Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes.
Veto Date: 1 May 2007
President Bush vetoed the bill primarily because of the provisions on Iraq. Presidential Message
The House sustained the veto on May 2 by vote No. 276 (222-203).
From About: Why Bush Should Veto the Iraq War Budget
3. Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007
S 5
Veto Date: 20 June 2007 - Unchallenged by Congress
President Bush vetoed a second stem cell research bill. Presidential Message
From About: Bush Vetos Stem Cell Bill. Again.
4. Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007
HR 976
Would have extended and expanded SCHIP.
Veto Date: 3 October 2007
Presidential Message
The House sustained the veto on Oct 18 on vote No. 982 (273-156).
From About: Does This Truly Represent the State of Politics in America? and Battle Over Insuring Children. See who voted against HR 976.
5. Water Resources Development Act of 2007
HR 1495
To provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes.
Veto Date: 2 November 2007; Veto Over-Ridden
The House voted to override the veto on 6 November on vote 1040 (361-54).
The Senate voted to override the veto on 8 November on vote No. 406 (79-14).
Presidential Message.
From About: Congress Poised For First Veto Override
6. Appropriations: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, 2008
HR 3043
Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.
Veto date: 13 November 2007
Presidential Message (PDF)
The House sustained the veto on Nov 15 on vote No. 1122 (277-141).
7. Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007
HR 3963
To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes.
Veto date: 12 December 2007
Presidential Message (PDF)
The House sustained the veto on Jan 23, 2008 by vote No. 22 (260-152).
8. National Defense Authorization Act for FY2008
HR 1585
To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
Veto Date: 28 December 2007
Jan 15, 2008 Referred to House Armed Services Committee
Memorandum (PDF)
9. Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
HR 2082
To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.
Veto Date: 8 March 2008
Presidential Message (pdf)
The House sustained the veto on 11 March 2008 by vote No. 117 (225-188).
10. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
HR 2419
To provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.
Veto Date: 21 May 2008; Veto Over-Ridden
Presidential Message
The House over-rode the veto on 12 May on vote No. 346 (316-108). The Senate over-rode the veto on 22 May on vote No. 140 (82-13).
11. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
HR 6124
To provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.
Veto Date: 18 June 2008; Veto Over-Ridden
Presidential Message (pdf)
The House over-rode the veto on 18 June on vote No. 417 (317-109). The Senate over-rode the veto on 18 June on vote No. 151 (80-14)..
12. Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008
HR 6331
To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to extend expiring provisions under the Medicare Program, to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, to enhance low-income benefit programs, and to maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access, and for other purposes.
Veto Date: 15 July 2008; Veto Over-Ridden
Presidential Message
The House over-rode the veto on 15 July on vote No. 491 (383-41). The Senate over-rode the veto on 15 July on vote No. 177 (70-26).