What is the most direct effect of a pocket veto?

A pocket veto occurs when the president does not formally sign a bill into law nor outright vetoes it, typically by taking no action for a specific period, often ten days. If Congress has adjourned during this time, the bill is automatically rejected without the president needing to issue a formal veto. Therefore, this answer accurately describes the outcome of a pocket veto — the bill effectively fails.

In contrast, other options do not align with the mechanics of a pocket veto. For instance, a bill does not become law simply because ten days pass; this is only applicable if Congress remains in session. Similarly, the bill is not sent back to Congress for further review in the case of a pocket veto, as the lack of action results in the bill’s demise rather than a reconsideration process. Lastly, the assertion that a bill is automatically passed in the next congressional session is misleading, as a pocket veto results in the bill not carrying over to future sessions without additional legislative action.