The concurrence of both Chambers is required for the transmission of any legal enactment to the President. If he approves it, it is immediately published with his signature, when it acquires the force of-law. If disapproved of by the President, it is sent back to the Chambers with his observations. Should it be again sanctioned by a majority of two-thirds of the members of both, the President must sign and publish it, without farther remonstrance. If not approved by this majority, the project cannot be again taken into consideration until the following year. The objections of the President must always be stated within a term of ten days, without which the law is conceived to have received his sanction, and must be promulgated.
Laws of every kind may originate, without distinction, in either Chamber, with the exception of those on taxes or contributions, which must be proposed in the Chamber of Deputies, (Articles 51—57.)
In the formation of a law, the presence of a majority of Members in both Chambers is required, (Article 66.)
The principal attributes of the Congress are:—
To maintain the Federal Union of the States, their independence of each other, and the perfect equality of their rights and obligations.
To promote general information by the establishment of copyrights, and the formation of colleges for the navy, the army, and the engineers.
To open roads and canals; to regulate posts, and
