So it's only a simple majority to overturn a presidential veto?
Not exactly. When the President uses his line item veto, the bill goes back to the Senate, which has three options:
- Override the line-item veto with a 2/3 majority: The bill, including the line item, becomes law immediately
- Pass the bill with the vetoed line items taken: The bill, excluding the line item, becomes law immediately
- Insist upon the original version of the bill: The bill is returned to the President, who cannot use his line-item veto, but can sign or veto the bill in the normal fashion
The Senate has now used the third option.
