Another TransCanada pipeline.
President Obama vetoed the bill approving construction of the northern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline Tuesday. In a statement, he
said:
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.
Don Stewart, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted that the attempt at a veto override "will happen no later than March the 3rd." Unless there are big changes in how members of the Senate and House voted on S. 1, the override will fall short of the needed tally.
No doubt there will be accusations that Obama is acting like a king because of this veto, the third in his six years as president. However:
1:57 PM PT: Because of a rash of comments here and elsewhere around the blogosphere, let me point out what I have previously noted since this was written in early January: The veto today is NOT a rejection of the pipeline. It is only a rejection of the congressional effort to override well-established executive authority for deciding on the pipeline. A decision on whether to approve or reject the actual project will come later.