<P> A veto -- Latin for `` I forbid '' -- is the power ( used by an officer of the state , for example ) to unilaterally stop an official action , especially the enactment of legislation . A veto can be absolute , as for instance in the United Nations Security Council , whose permanent members ( China , France , Russia , United Kingdom , and the United States of America ) can block any resolution , or it can be limited , as in the legislative process of the United States , where a two - thirds vote in both the House and Senate may override a Presidential veto of legislation . A veto may give power only to stop changes ( thus allowing its holder to protect the status quo ) , like the US legislative veto mentioned before , or to also adopt them ( an `` amendatory veto '' ) , like the legislative veto of the Indian President , which allows him to propose amendments to bills returned to the Parliament for reconsideration . </P>
<P> A veto -- Latin for `` I forbid '' -- is the power ( used by an officer of the state , for example ) to unilaterally stop an official action , especially the enactment of legislation . A veto can be absolute , as for instance in the United Nations Security Council , whose permanent members ( China , France , Russia , United Kingdom , and the United States of America ) can block any resolution , or it can be limited , as in the legislative process of the United States , where a two - thirds vote in both the House and Senate may override a Presidential veto of legislation . A veto may give power only to stop changes ( thus allowing its holder to protect the status quo ) , like the US legislative veto mentioned before , or to also adopt them ( an `` amendatory veto '' ) , like the legislative veto of the Indian President , which allows him to propose amendments to bills returned to the Parliament for reconsideration . </P>
which kind of majority is needed for the house and senate to override a presidential veto
which kind of majority is needed for the house and senate to override a presidential veto
a two - thirds vote in both the House and Senate
a two - thirds vote in both the House and Senate