Presidential Vetoes and Messages

Madison’s Veto #1 (1811)

Bill: An act incorporating the Episcopal Church in the Town of Alexandria in the District of Columbia

Message Summary: Sought to establish an Episcopal church via congressional legislation with federal aid. Madison believed it to be a violation of the first amendment and separation of church and state.

Madison’s Veto #5 (1815)

Bill: An act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States of America

Message Summary: He opposed this version of Congress’ recharter on the BUS because it did not correctly fulfill its principle purposes such as increasing credit. Madison believed its structure was faulty and questioned how helpful it would actually be to the public

Madison’s Veto #7 (1817)

Bill: An act to set apart and pledge certain funds for internal improvements.

Message Summary: Believed using federal funds to create roads and canals could not be interpreted as “necessary and proper” power of Congress. He rejected that building infrastructure could be justified through the enumerated power of regulating commerce among the states.

Monroe’s Veto #1 (1822)

Bill: An act for the preservation and repair of the Cumberland Road

Message Summary: States the creation of turnpikes and their associated tolls was a part of a power to facilitate internal improvements, and such powers lay outside the scope of congressional jurisdiction. In his interpretation, an amendment to the Constitution would be required for such powers to exist.

Jackson’s Veto #2 (1830)

Bill: A subscription of stock in the Maysville, Washington, Paris, and Lexington Turnpike Road Company.

Message Summary: Jackson opposed this bill because he believed that federal funding for internal improvements should not extend to projects that were local or state in nature. He viewed it as an overreach of federal power and a misuse of taxpayer money. An amendment should be proposed if it is not constitutional.

Jackson’s Veto #5 (1832)

Bill: Modify and continue an act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States

Message Summary: Jackson vetoed the bill arguing that it would perpetuate the privileges of a wealthy few at the expense of the general public, and he believed it was unjust to allow the bank to continue operating in its previous form without reform.

Tyler’s Veto #1 (1841)

Bill: An act to incorporate the subscribers to the Fiscal Bank of the United States

Message Summary: Tyler vetoed the bill because he believed it would create a centralized bank that would lead to dangerous concentrations of financial power, undermining individual liberties and giving undue influence to a select group of wealthy bankers.

Tyler’s Veto #2 (1841)

Bill: An act to provide the better collection, safekeeping, and disbursement of the public revenue, by means of a corporation to be styled by the Fiscal Corporation of the United States.

Message Summary: Tyler vetoed this bill, arguing it would further concentrate financial power in a corporation, undermining fiscal integrity and accountability to the public.

Tyler’s Veto #8 (1844)

Bill: An act making appropriations for the improvement of certain harbors and rivers

Message Summary: Tyler's veto message expressed concerns about the bill's funding sources and its constitutionality, arguing that it infringed on states' rights.