What is required in both houses of Congress to override a presidential veto?

To override a presidential veto, both houses of Congress must achieve a two-thirds majority vote. This means that at least two-thirds of the members present in both the House of Representatives and the Senate must agree to overturn the president's decision. This requirement is intentionally high, reflecting the balance of power that the framers of the Constitution sought to establish between the executive and legislative branches. It ensures that a significant consensus is necessary to counteract the president's veto, thereby protecting the executive's authority while still providing a mechanism for Congress to assert its legislative power when there's a strong agreement among its members.

The other voting thresholds, such as a three-fourths majority or a simple majority, do not apply in this context. A three-fifths majority is relevant for certain procedural motions in the Senate, like cloture, but not for overriding vetos, and a simple majority would not provide the necessary level of consensus required to override a presidential decision.