Obama Vetoes Keystone XL Pipeline Bill

In this photo taken Feb. 9, 2015, President Barack Obama listens in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The president is setting a goal of raising $2 billion from the private sector for investments in cle... In this photo taken Feb. 9, 2015, President Barack Obama listens in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The president is setting a goal of raising $2 billion from the private sector for investments in clean energy. The White House says it's launching a Clean Energy Investment Initiative as part of the Obama administration's effort to address climate change.The Energy Department will solicit investments from philanthropists and investors concerned about climate change. The aim is to spur development of technologies and energy sources that are low in carbon dioxide pollution, such as solar panels, wind power, fuel cells and advanced batteries. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) MORE LESS

President Barack Obama on Tuesday vetoed legislation to force construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, his first veto of the Republican-led Congress.

The president sent the Senate the following message, according to the White House.

I am returning herewith without my approval S. 1, the”Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act.” Through this bill, the United States Congress attempts to circumvent longstanding and proven processes for determining whether or not building and operating a cross-border pipeline serves the national interest.

The Presidential power to veto legislation is one I take seriously. But I also take seriously my responsibility to the American people. And because this act of Congress conflicts with established executive branch procedures and cuts short thorough consideration of issues that could bear on our national interest — including our security, safety, and environment — it has earned my veto.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) torched the president’s expected move.

“The president’s veto of the Keystone jobs bill is a national embarrassment,” he said, adding: “The president is just too close to environmental extremists to stand up for America’s workers. He’s too invested in left-fringe politics to do what presidents are called on to do, and that’s put the national interest first.”

45
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Less than 4500 construction (temporary and not guaranteed to US Citizens)jobs… less than 50 permanent jobs
    How many spills per month?
    and this is better than Infrastructure jobs bill refused by House?

  2. Any bets Darcy will scream this is proof the President Obama is somehow a sell-out?

  3. Avatar for chammy chammy says:

    He won’t even have the guts to show up. Like you I remember all the fire bagging emoprogs who were sure he’d give the go ahead. I knew he would not

  4. Avatar for chammy chammy says:

    May I say thank you President Obama. You make me proud every day to call you my President

  5. “what presidents are called on to do, and that’s put the national interest OF CANADA first.”

    Figure Boehner could use all the fixing he can get.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

39 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for lestatdelc Avatar for buckeyeborn Avatar for webcelt Avatar for ajm Avatar for scavok Avatar for srfromgr Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for jackster Avatar for avattoir Avatar for chammy Avatar for trippin Avatar for trumpdog Avatar for dorfmann Avatar for mantan Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for rollotamasi13 Avatar for mildly_subversive Avatar for richardnixonhuberthumphrey Avatar for darcy Avatar for misterneutron Avatar for angel777 Avatar for turbane Avatar for an_american

Continue Discussion