Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits #51 - 1936 Post-Adjournment Approvals / Senate

Two bills, seeking commemorative coins for events being celebrated on opposite coasts of the continental United States, share a legislative distinction...

On June 20, 1936, the Second Session of the 74th Congress adjourned for the last time. The day before, June 19th, the Senate presented to the President the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge commemorative coin bill (it had been passed by the House and Senate) for his review, approval and signature. The similarly-passed bill for the York County, ME Tercentenary half dollar was presented to the President on June 22, 1936 via the Committee on Enrolled Bills. (Administrative matters can be conducted by assigned Committees after its chamber has adjourned.)

Neither bill was signed by the President prior to Congress' adjournment. With Congress no longer in session, the bills could have been vetoed via "Pocket Veto" if President Franklin D. Roosevelt did not sign them within ten days of receiving them (excluding Sundays). (A pocket veto can occur when Congress is not in session and thus makes it impossible for the President to return a bill to Congress, along with stated objections, for potential override action.)

Roosevelt did sign the bills, however, on June 26, 1936. With his timely signature, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and York County, ME Tercentenary commemorative half dollars legally came into being. And thus, the two opposing coast commemorative coin Acts share the distinction of being the "Last of 1936."


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including 50 more "Quick Bits", check out: Commems Collection.