>It doesn't mean that much really -- if congress wanted to pass it regardless, they could. Veto power can be over-ruled. If he vetoes a bill, the bill goes back to the house and the senate and the veto can be over-ruled by two-thirds vote in each. So, if they really wanted to, they could still pass the bill but the bill would require a lot of support by both houses in order to pass by two-thirds vote the 2nd time around.

But then, if they do that, the public will know that the Congress has openly declared its love for earmarks, and stood behind it.