WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama on Tuesday vetoed S.1, a bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
In a brief statement to the U.S. Senate, the president 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."
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) issued a statement in response to the veto:
"The president's veto of the Keystone jobs bill is a national embarrassment. It's embarrassing when Russia and China are plowing ahead on two massive pipelines and we can't get this one no-brainer of a project off the ground. 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.
"For the president, Keystone may just be today's politics, but there are workers and unions who have spent years counting on the 42,000 jobs this project will support. There are small-business owners counting on the promise and opportunities this project will bring to their towns. There are governors in both parties counting on the revenue and growth this project will bring to their states. There are manufacturers clamoring for the development of North America's resources. And there's an overwhelming majority of Americans who want us to put politics aside and get this done.
"So we are not going to give up in our efforts to get this pipeline built – not even close. We pledged to make the people's priorities our priorities, and we will keep working every day to deliver on that commitment."
The veto sends the issue back to Congress, where Republicans would need to muster a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override the veto. Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.), the bill's chief sponsor, said Republicans are about four votes short in the Senate and need about 11 more in the House, reported the Associated Press.
First proposed more than six years ago, the Keystone XL pipeline project awaits a federal permit because it would cross an international boundary. The pipeline would connect Canada's tar sands with refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast that specialize in processing heavy crude oil.
Republicans and the energy industry say the $8 billion project would create jobs, spur growth and increase America's independence from Mideast energy sources. Democrats and environmental groups have sought to make the pipeline a poster child for the type of dirty energy sources they say are exacerbating global warming, the news agency said.
The President says his administration is still weighing the pipeline's merits.
The Republican-controlled House passed the bill earlier in February on a 270-to-152 vote.
Republican leaders are mulling a number of potential next steps, said AP. In addition to trying to peel off enough Democrats to override Obama's veto, Republicans were considering inserting Keystone into other critical legislation dealing with energy, spending or infrastructure in hopes that Obama would be less likely to veto those priorities.
''We'll look to see if we can get some more bipartisan support,'' said Hoeven.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.