What power allows the President to reject legislation passed by Congress?

Prepare for the AP U.S. Government and Politics Test on The Presidency. Study using flashcards, multiple-choice questions, hints, and explanations. Be ready for your test!

The power that allows the President to reject legislation passed by Congress is the veto power. This power enables the President to refuse to sign a bill into law, effectively blocking its enactment. The veto serves as a check on Congress, allowing the President to prevent legislation that they believe is not in the best interest of the nation or that does not align with their policy priorities.

When the President vetoes a bill, Congress can attempt to override the veto, but this requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, making it a significant hurdle. This balance of power is designed to ensure that both the executive and legislative branches have a role in the law-making process, thereby maintaining a system of checks and balances central to U.S. governance.

The other powers listed do not involve rejecting legislation. The appointment power allows the President to nominate individuals for federal positions, the pardon power grants the ability to forgive individuals convicted of crimes, and the treaty power enables the President to negotiate international agreements, which must then be ratified by the Senate. None of these powers involve the direct rejection of laws or legislation from Congress, which is why the veto power is the correct choice.

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