Congress Sends Keystone Legislation to Obama
Cue Barack Obama’s veto pen of doom. In a 270 to 152 vote Wednesday, the House sent a bill authorizing the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to Obama’s desk. The president has warned he would veto the bill because he claims his administration hasn’t had enough time to review the environmental ramifications of the project. And while Obama’s arguments that a congressional authorization violates the separation of powers is rich, coming from the phone ‘n’ pen president, the real reason is that Obama wants to follow the bidding of his Environmental Protection Agency. On the House floor, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) told the chamber, “This is the most federally reviewed pipeline in American history. This is an American issue. Majority of the American people support this. … It’s way past time to say yes.” Unfortunately, when Obama vetoes, Congress doesn’t have the votes to override his veto. This may be the first veto of many from the newly minted president of no. More…