Bush Plays "Pocket Veto" Card

Photo from Bush2004.com

I'm still trying to figure this out. My understanding of a "pocket veto" is that if a bill expires--while Congress is out of session, and without a Presidential signature--the bill effectively dies. But if it expires while Congress is in session, it is effectively passed without a signature.

So, Bush is currently trying this strategy (I guess so he doesn't actually have to veto it). But, Congress is still in session--at least technically--in order to preclude any more recess appointments. So won't the bill now become law? Either my understanding of the pocket veto is flawed, or Bush's is.

[Excerpt]

Bush Rejects Defense Bill by Pocket Veto

President Bush on Friday used a "pocket veto" to reject a sweeping defense bill because he dislikes a provision that would expose the Iraqi government to expensive lawsuits seeking damages from the Saddam Hussein era.

In a statement, Bush said the legislation "would imperil billions of dollars of Iraqi assets at a crucial juncture in that nation's reconstruction efforts."

Read more at: AP