On: White House Seems Afraid NSA Defunding Law Could Actually Pass Today

[showerst]

You're basically right, but if it passes both chambers and the president vetos it, they can over-ride that veto with a 2/3 majority of each chamber.

That's unlikely, so you're correct in parsing it as a statement being made, not than something that they actually -want- to have happen.

This is extremely common in the US congress.

[scottshea → showerst]

What is interesting is that if the bill passes with a 2/3 majority Presidents are unlikely to use the Veto. Nothing stops them from vetoing it but they usually take the passing with that strong of a margin as an indication that the veto would be overridden anyway.

[adestefan → scottshea]

If they really feel strongly about it they'll let the bill sit for the 10 day period where it becomes law without their signature.