Brazil's Congress overrode President Lula's veto on the Dosimetria bill on Thursday (April 30), potentially reducing sentences for those convicted of coup-related acts, including Jair Bolsonaro. Cases will be reviewed individually by the STF. The move represents the government's second consecutive loss in Congress.
In a joint session on Thursday (April 30, 2026), Congress overrode President Lula's veto on the Dosimetria bill. The Chamber vote was 318 in favor of overriding, 144 against, and 5 abstentions. The Senate had 49 favorable and 24 against.
The approved text could reduce Jair Bolsonaro's sentence from 27 years and 3 months to 3 years and 3 months in prison. Those convicted for January 8 events and coup attempts must petition the STF for benefits, with individual reviews. "The STF will decide on this," said Chamber President Hugo Motta (Republicanos).
The override followed Wednesday's (April 29) Senate rejection of Jorge Messias's STF nomination, with 42 votes against and 34 for. Attributed to Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil), the back-to-back losses weakened the government. An opinion in Folha de S.Paulo argues the bill brutally violates the Constitution by serving specific interests rather than the common good.
