Since 1789, the President has had the authority to veto legislation pa

Question

Since 1789, the President has had the authority to veto legislation passed by Congress; this is a powerful tool. The threat of a veto can help bring about compromise in the content of a bill long before it reaches the President. The “return” veto is a qualified negative veto that the Congress can override with a two-thirds vote. The “pocket” veto is a veto that becomes effective when the President simply does not sign a bill while Congress is in session. Once Congress has adjourned, it is unable to override the veto. Opponents of the pocket veto allege that it grants the President too much power. They describe it as an absolute veto, a prerogative of the English kings that the Framers vehemently despised.

The presidential dominance arguments misrepresent the pocket veto. Unlike the royal prerogative, the pocket veto is exercised by a democratically elected leader pursuant to a clearly defined constitutional procedure. Congress may arrange presentation of a bill to thwart the President’s opportunity to use the pocket veto. Moreover, a true absolute veto forecloses further action on a proposal; Congress, however, may overcome a pocket veto by reintroducing and passing the rejected bill.

The pocket veto’s flaw, if any, is that it permits the President to block legislation when Congress would have almost certainly overridden a return veto. Specifically, the pocket veto grants the President a special political tool against “popular will.” Herein lies the fundamental disagreement over the pocket veto. Opponents press for the President to defer to the seemingly inevitable congressional victory. The President, in contrast, stands behind the historical use of the pocket veto to delay legislation he thinks unwise.

Not every bill pocket vetoed would have been subjected to a return veto. And not every return veto of a bill that was overwhelmingly popular in Congress would have been overridden. But in those cases in which the President would use the return veto, and Congress would vote to override that return, the pocket veto acts to stop or delay popular legislation. If legislative supremacy is the most important value to protect, then the pocket veto is wrong. But, more realistically, if circumspection and deliberation are the more valued aspects of the lawmaking process, even the most blatantly political use of the pocket veto passes muster. Historical practice favors the President’s employing this tool to act as an  interloper , as it were, in the legislative process.    1 
 1. As used in the passage, the word “interloper” in the last sentence most nearly means:

A. one who unjustly assumes power through the use of force
B. one who acts as a liaison between different parties
C. one who intervenes in a situation or process
D. one who thinks carefully before acting
E. one who makes executive decisions

2 
 2. Which of the following best describes the structure of this passage?

A. Presentation of a historical authority; discussion of how this authority is used today; recommendation for continued use of this authority.
B. Examination of royal authority; presentation of democratic use of a similar authority; conclusion that this authority has no place within a democratic government.
C. Description of a power exercised by the President; discussion of pros and cons of this power; recommendation that this power should be maintained.
D. Explanation of an executive power; analysis of arguments against use of this power; conclusion in favor of this power.
E. Survey of attitudes towards Presidential power; historical use of this power; agreement with the attitude of the majority

3 
 3. The author’s conclusion that those who oppose use of the pocket veto misrepresent its power depends on which of the following assumptions?

A. A democratically elected leader who is bound by constitutional checks cannot accumulate too much legislative power.
B. In a democracy, the legislative and executive branches are balanced by the authority of the judicial branch.
C. Royal prerogatives no longer exist in modern governments.
D. The pocket veto limits the President’s power to counteract a congressional motion.
E. The pocket veto prevents congressional victory over the popular will.

GMAT Club's Reading Comprehension Challenge 2022   
   10 Days | 20 Passages | Win Prizes | Get Better at GMAT   
 Passage # 08  |  Date: 04 March 2022 
 Click here for more details and master thread

ElninoEffect · Answer

1. As used in the passage, the word “interloper” in the last sentence most nearly means:

A. one who unjustly assumes power through the use of force
If anything just the opposite.
B. one who acts as a liaison between different parties
Mediator.? No.!
 C. one who intervenes in a situation or process 
Lets hold on to it.
D. one who thinks carefully before acting
Interloper and this meaning no.
E. one who makes executive decisions
I think C is better.

2. Which of the following best describes the structure of this passage?

A. Presentation of a historical authority; discussion of how this authority is used today; recommendation for continued use of this authority.
This one was easy out. discussion of how this authority is used today.? historical authority.? -Dosent make any sense.
B. Examination of royal authority; presentation of democratic use of a similar authority; conclusion that this authority has no place within a democratic government.
Examination of Royal authority. No.! Out.
C.Description of a power exercised by the President; discussion of pros and cons of this power; recommendation that this power should be maintained.
Discussion of Pros and Cons of this power.? No.!
D.  Explanation of an executive power; analysis of arguments against use of this power; conclusion in favor of this power. 
Explanation of an executive power; - 1st paragraph
analysis of arguments against use of this power; - 2nd paragraph
conclusion in favor of this power - 3rd paragraph
E. Survey of attitudes towards Presidential power; historical use of this power; agreement with the attitude of the majority
Survey of attitudes towards Presidential power - actually only one aspect of presidential power has been discussed but still lets say 2nd paragraph.
The summary of the first paragraph is still missing in it.

3. The author’s conclusion that those who oppose use of the pocket veto misrepresent its power depends on which of the following assumptions?

A.  A democratically elected leader who is bound by constitutional checks cannot accumulate too much legislative power. 
B. In a democracy, the legislative and executive branches are balanced by the authority of the judicial branch.
C. Royal prerogatives no longer exist in modern governments.
D. The pocket veto limits the President’s power to counteract a congressional motion.
E. The pocket veto prevents congressional victory over the popular will.

ShivaniCh12 · Answer

1. As used in the passage, the word “interloper” in the last sentence most nearly means:

A. one who unjustly assumes power through the use of force
B. one who acts as a liaison between different parties
C. one who intervenes in a situation or process
D. one who thinks carefully before acting
E . one who makes executive decisions

2- . Which of the following best describes the structure of this passage?

A. Presentation of a historical authority; discussion of how this authority is used today; recommendation for continued use of this authority.
B. Examination of royal authority; presentation of democratic use of a similar authority; conclusion that this authority has no place within a democratic government.
C. Description of a power exercised by the President; discussion of pros and cons of this power; recommendation that this power should be maintained.
D.  Explanation of an executive power; analysis of arguments against use of this power; conclusion in favor of this power. - Para ! describes the power, Para 2and 3 give arguments of opponents and explain how power is misinterpreted.Para 4- gives Conclusion how power is helpful realistically and favoured practice historically.
E. Survey of attitudes towards Presidential power; historical use of this power; agreement with the attitude of the majority.

3- The author’s conclusion that those who oppose use of the pocket veto misrepresent its power depends on which of the following assumptions?

A.  A democratically elected leader who is bound by constitutional checks cannot accumulate too much legislative power. -arguement mentioned"misrepresent the pocket veto"-Pocket veto is exercised by democratic leader and therefore it assume.
B. In a democracy, the legislative and executive branches are balanced by the authority of the judicial branch.
C. Royal prerogatives no longer exist in modern governments.
D. The pocket veto limits the President’s power to counteract a congressional motion.
E. The pocket veto prevents congressional victory over the popular will.

vijayram2496 · Answer

Question 1:

1. As used in the passage, the word “interloper” in the last sentence most nearly means:

A. one who unjustly assumes power through the use of force
B. one who acts as a liaison between different parties
C. one who intervenes in a situation or process
D. one who thinks carefully before acting
E. one who makes executive decisions

My answer is  C 
As per the context of passage, as in the context mentioned ,the president might have to intervene in between Congress and Bill passage.
So I expect it to be C.
Question 2:
2. Which of the following best describes the structure of this passage?

A. Presentation of a historical authority; discussion of how this authority is used today; recommendation for continued use of this authority.
B. Examination of royal authority; presentation of democratic use of a similar authority; conclusion that this authority has no place within a democratic government.
C. Description of a power exercised by the President; discussion of pros and cons of this power; recommendation that this power should be maintained.
D. Explanation of an executive power; analysis of arguments against use of this power; conclusion in favor of this power.
E. Survey of attitudes towards Presidential power; historical use of this power; agreement with the attitude of the majority

My answer is  C 
First paragraph talks about Veto power, Return Veto and Pocket Veto(Description of Veto)
Second para mentions how pocket Veto is different from absolute veto and supportive statements on Pocket Veto.
Third para mentions flaws of pocket Veto 
Last paragraph is a recommendation why Veto should prevail.

Question 3:
3. The author’s conclusion that those who oppose use of the pocket veto misrepresent its power depends on which of the following assumptions?

A. A democratically elected leader who is bound by constitutional checks cannot accumulate too much legislative power.
B. In a democracy, the legislative and executive branches are balanced by the authority of the judicial branch.
C. Royal prerogatives no longer exist in modern governments.
D. The pocket veto limits the President’s power to counteract a congressional motion.
E. The pocket veto prevents congressional victory over the popular will.

My answer is  D 
It is mentioned in last para that elected leader is bound by constitution and it will counteract a congressional motion. But then the bill can be reintroduced and rejected if congress needs.
So combining both statements it is D.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Competition mode is off now

OAs are

CDA

Good luck with the upcoming questions.

100mitra · Answer

Words:  ] 401
  Read Time:   5 Mins 30 sec
  Paragraph structure:   Present a phenomenon, analysis a situation and favourable discussion 
  Paraphrasing   
 Para 1:  Veto also known as president powerful tools used as an authority of 
rejecting a decision or passing a proposal by law making body, 
veto also can be objective depending upon whether it is “return” veto or “pocket” veto, or with ruling party or with opposition party.

Para 2:  Pocket veto can be overcome by reintroducing and passing the rejected bill, which can misrepresent the presidential dominance

Para 3:  unlike return veto, pocket veto permits the president to block legislation, to stand against a popular will, or to delay legislation he thinks unwise

Para 4:  Pocket veto or return veto, not necessary will be override or delay, historical practice favours the President’s employing this tool to act as an interloper, as it were, in the legislative process.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. As used in the passage, the word “interloper” in the last sentence most nearly means:

Interloper meaning:  a person who becomes involved in a place or situation 
where they are not wanted or are considered not to belong
 Intervenes meaning:  take part in something to prevent or alter a result or course of event
  Correct Option: C. one who intervenes in a situation or process

In case if meaning of word is not known, 
easiest way is try to read 2-3 lines before the highlighted word, 
here in this option, situation of president needs to be understood in any kind of proposal presented by legislation, 
it needs to be analysis and then decision must be taken, this makes president involve in to give or to hold or to reject a result.

Eliminate other option:  
A. one who unjustly assumes power through the use of force   – wrong  , passage doesn’t mean to be a   acquirer approach  
B. one who acts as a liaison between different parties   – wrong   passage, doesn’t mean to be a   mediator quality  
D. one who thinks carefully before acting   – wrong   passage doesn’t mean to be a   impulsive quality   
E. one who makes executive decisions   – wrong   passage doesn’t mean to be   leadership quality

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Which of the following best describes the structure of this passage?

A. Presentation of a historical authority;   (Wrong)  
discussion of how this authority is used today;   (Wrong)  
recommendation for continued use of this authority.   (Wrong)

B. Examination of royal authority;   (Wrong)  
presentation of democratic use of a similar authority;   (Wrong)  
conclusion that this authority has no place within a democratic government.   (Wrong)

C. Description of a power exercised by the President;   (Wrong)  
discussion of pros and cons of this power;   (Wrong)  
recommendation that this power should be maintained.   (Wrong)

D. Explanation of an executive power;  (Correct) 
analysis of arguments against use of this power;  (Correct)  
conclusion in favor of this power.  (Correct)

E. Survey of attitudes towards Presidential power;   (Wrong)  
historical use of this power;   (Wrong)  
agreement with the attitude of the majority   (Wrong)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. The author’s conclusion that 
those who oppose use of the pocket veto misrepresent 
its power depends on which of the following assumptions?

as mentioned in the passage, " The presidential dominance arguments misrepresent the pocket veto. Unlike the royal prerogative, the pocket veto is exercised by a democratically elected leader pursuant to a clearly defined constitutional procedure ”

A. A democratically elected leader who is bound by constitutional checks cannot accumulate too much legislative power - Correct

B. In a democracy, the legislative and executive branches are balanced by the authority of the judicial branch   (Wrong)  , irrelevant
C. Royal prerogatives no longer exist in modern governments   (Wrong)  out of scope

As mentioned in the passage, “ Specifically, the pocket veto grants the President a special political tool against “popular will. Herein lies the fundamental disagreement over the pocket veto. Opponents press for the President to defer to the seemingly inevitable congressional victory .”   Eliminate D, and E  
D. The pocket veto  limits the President’s power  to counteract a congressional motion.
E. The pocket veto  prevents congressional victory over the popular will .

VerbalBot · Answer

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.

Since 1789, the President has had the authority to veto legislation pa

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Since 1789, the President has had the authority to veto legislation pa

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards