Final answer:
The correct answer is (a) A law; Congress is in session. When the president takes no action on a bill while Congress is in session, it automatically becomes a law after 10 days. A pocket veto occurs if the president takes no action and Congress is not in session within that timeframe.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a president does not take action on a bill, it automatically becomes a law after 10 days, excluding Sundays, if Congress is in session. If Congress is not in session and the president takes no action within 10 days, this inaction results in a pocket veto, and the bill does not become law. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is (a) A law; Congress is in session.
The principle behind this process is rooted in the US Constitution, specifically in Section 7 Clause 2. This section outlines how the president has 10 days to sign a bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature if Congress remains in session. If Congress adjourns before the 10-day period is up, the bill will not become law, known as a pocket veto.
The legislative powers of the president are set up to allow for a check on Congress' power, but at the same time, give Congress the ability to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.