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On Tuesday, President Obama, as he had promised, vetoed a Republican bill approving the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Obama, rejected the bill because it "unwisely bypassed a State Department process that will determine whether the project would be beneficial to the United States". The Republicans support it for its short-term job creation (construction), as there will not be many long-term jobs associated with the Keystone Pipeline- and it also mainly transports Canadian oil. However, the Republicans say they plan to override this veto by March 3rd. According to this article, they don't have enough votes to do so.
"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," Obama wrote in his veto message.
Later in the year, we will learn about presidential as well as congressional powers related to the vetoing of bills as well as the override of those vetoes.
I agree with Obama's decision to veto this bill. As seen in the article, there is currently a State Department process that will determine whether the project is beneficial. I don't think the legislative branch should overstep its powers to approve this project at this point in time.
Very good blog Anthony. I actually disagree with you on this post, and I believe that the pipeline could greatly benefit the Unites States shouldn't have been vetoed.
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