President Obama has vetoed the Keystone XL Pipeline today, a move that he has been threatening to do for months. This is only the third time President Obama has exercised his veto authority.
In his veto message, the president condemned the Republican tactics used in passing the bill through Congress. Wrote the president,
“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.”
Thankfully, an override to the veto is unlikely, and the President has prevented a potential environmental disaster on American soil.
With President Obama in office, we can all breathe a little easier, knowing that our children and grandchildren will not have to live with the consequences the Keystone XL Pipeline would have imposed on them.
