Article 1, Section 7, Paragraph 2
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Presidential Signature
A signature is a legal endorsement.
This is a good provision, because it would force the president to not just get lazy or ignore laws he might not like. There has to be an explanation as to why he would reject a bill that has passed the scrutiny of both Houses. This might also enable the Houses to reconsider their stance and decide if they really want to revote or just let the bill drop.
The President’s signature is very important. By it he endorses bills and puts the power of his office behind them.
We are kings in training and can learn a great deal about the power of our endorsement or rejection. Our signatures should not be taken lightly. Endorsement goes beyond mere signature; it also encompasses whom we support with our actions.
Paul made it a point to endorse each epistle with his own signature. Not doing so would indicate a carelessness about what was being said, and a lack of personal support.
2 Thessalonians 3:17, "The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write."
Scripture warns that there are some instances where we are fools to endorse certain papers. The Hebrew word is sometimes translated "surety" and means to intertwine or braid oneself with another.
Proverbs 20:16, "Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman."
Proverbs 6:1-5, "My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler."
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