At a Glance
- Trump vetoed two bipartisan bills passed by voice vote.
- One bill would finish a pipeline to bring clean water to southeastern Colorado; the other would expand Miccosukee land in Florida.
- Senators and a congresswoman criticized the vetoes, urging Congress to override.
- Why it matters: The vetoes affect critical water infrastructure and tribal land rights, highlighting a clash between the president and his own party.
President Donald Trump issued the first vetoes of his second term this week, rejecting two bills that had enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress.
Pipeline Bill Veto
Trump vetoed the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, a bill that would complete a pipeline to deliver clean water to southeastern Colorado. The measure passed both chambers by voice vote, reflecting overwhelming bipartisan backing. Trump cited the project’s long delays and high costs, saying he would not let taxpayers fund expensive policies.
President Trump stated:
> “Enough is enough. My administration is committed to preventing American taxpayers from funding expensive and unreliable policies. Ending the massive cost of taxpayer handouts and restoring fiscal sanity is vital to economic growth and the fiscal health of the Nation.”
- Rep. Lauren Boebert, the bill’s sponsor, responded on social media: “This isn’t over.”
- Colorado senators criticized the veto as a partisan move.
Miccosukee Land Bill Veto
The second veto targeted the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act, which would expand the Miccosukee Reserved Area to include part of the Everglades National Park. The bill also passed by voice vote. Trump accused the tribe of obstructing immigration policy that the American people had voted for.
President Trump said:
> “to obstruct reasonable immigration policies that the American people decisively voted for when I was elected.”
- Rep. Carlos Gimenez, the bill’s sponsor, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
- Colorado senators urged Congress to override the veto, noting the impact on rural communities.
| Bill | Sponsor | Purpose | Status | Trump’s Justification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act | Rep. Lauren Boebert | Complete pipeline for Colorado water | Passed by voice vote | Long delays, high costs, taxpayer handouts |
| Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act | Rep. Carlos Gimenez | Expand Miccosukee Reserved Area to include part of Everglades | Passed by voice vote | Tribe obstructing immigration policy |
Both vetoes drew sharp criticism from Colorado’s senators and the bill sponsors, who urged Congress to override the president’s decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Trump vetoed two bipartisan bills that had passed by voice vote.
- The pipeline veto centers on cost and taxpayer concerns; the land veto involves immigration policy objections.
- Senators and sponsors are calling for overrides, highlighting intra-party tensions.
The vetoes underscore a growing tension between Trump and his own party over infrastructure and tribal land issues.
