As expected, President Barack Obama vetoed a bill that would have forced approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. In his message to Congress, Obama said the bill “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.”  

Republican leaders will attempt to override the veto, but those efforts will almost certainly fail, since the bill didn’t muster a two-thirds majority in either the House or the Senate. The next likely step is for Congressional Republicans to attach language on Keystone XL to some other “must-pass” bill. I am concerned that under those conditions, language on the pipeline would not be a deal-breaker for Obama.

All four Iowans in the U.S. House supported the Keystone XL bill, as did Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst. I haven’t seen any official comment on the veto from Representatives Rod Blum (IA-01), Dave Loebsack (IA-02), David Young (IA-03), or Steve King (IA-04). After the jump I’ve posted the full text of the president’s veto message, along with reaction from Grassley and Ernst. I will update as needed.

Veto message released by the White House on February 24:

Veto Message to the Senate: S. 1, Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act

TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:

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.

BARACK OBAMA

Press release from Senator Joni Ernst, February 24:

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congress will send President Obama the Keystone XL Pipeline Act (S.1), a jobs and infrastructure bill authorizing construction of a cross-border pipeline to transport oil from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), an original cosponsor to the bipartisan legislation, released the following statement:

“I urge President Obama to reconsider his previous veto threat and work with Congress on this bipartisan effort to enact the Keystone XL Pipeline jobs bill into law,” said Senator Ernst. “This commonsense legislation would help create thousands of new jobs, grow our economy and provide important energy infrastructure developments to move our country forward. The president has a major opportunity to show willingness to work alongside this new Congress and support this important jobs and infrastructure bill.”

President Obama has 10 days to decide whether he will sign the bill or veto it.

About The Keystone XL Pipeline Act:

The cross-border pipeline will carry 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Alberta, Canada to U.S. refineries along the Gulf Coast.

According to the U.S. State Department, oil will be transported safely with minimal impact to the environment, and cause no disruption to the development of Canadian oil sands. This project contains strong protections and will comply with federal, state and local authorities.

The Keystone XL Pipeline sets up basic energy infrastructure for future needs and is necessary to the progress of our country.

Construction of the pipeline will stimulate the American economy through the creation of 42,000 new construction jobs and add an estimated $3.4 billion to GDP.

This project has been under review for over six years and encountered numerous unnecessary delays by the Obama administration.

There is broad-based support behind construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and AFL-CIO.

On February 11, the House of Representatives passed the Keystone XL Pipeline Act with bipartisan support by a vote of 270 to 152.

On January 29, the Senate passed the Keystone XL Pipeline Act with bipartisan support by a vote of 62 to 36.

Press release from Senator Chuck Grassley, February 24:

Grassley on President’s Veto of Keystone Pipeline Approval

Feb 24, 2015

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the President’s veto of legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

“I’m disappointed President Obama vetoed the bipartisan, broadly supported Keystone approval legislation.  He said Congress ‘cut short’ his review, even though it’s been more than 2,340 days since the application for the permit was filed.  That’s a long time to make a decision.  It’s no way to benefit our economy and our energy security.”

More detail on Grassley’s position is available here. [links to January 29 press release]

Grassley press release from January 29:

Grassley: Keystone XL pipeline bill passes, unfortunate veto likely

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the Senate’s approval of bipartisan legislation authorizing the Keystone XL oil pipeline.  The bill passed 62 to 36.

“The application to construct this pipeline was submitted to the Obama administration more than six years ago.  While it’s good news to approve this bipartisan bill, it would be better news if the President would sign it into law.  We’ve heard a lot about the need to help the middle class, and here’s a privately funded, shovel ready infrastructure project that would support a lot of good-paying jobs.  The President is stuck between the unions that want these jobs and the environmentalists who don’t want any more use of fossil fuels.  But the Canadian oil will be produced whether or not the pipeline is built.  Canada will transport the oil somewhere, regardless of whether the United States is the destination.  The project should be in the United States, where it will benefit our economy and our energy security.  At the same time, U.S. policies should continue to support the development of other kinds of energy, including the renewable fuels produced in Iowa.  An all-of-the-above strategy is necessary to meet the energy needs of U.S. consumers and businesses.

“The pipeline debate showed that the Senate is back to being a deliberative body.  Senators of both parties were able to get votes on dozens of amendments.  Already the Senate has voted on more amendments this month than in all of 2014.  I look forward to many more votes and debates this year.”

Fundraising e-mail blast from Ernst’s JONI PAC (subject heading: IGNORED):

Friend,

By vetoing the Keystone jobs bill today, President Obama hasn’t just bypassed the majority of Congress but he has also ignored the strong majority of Americans who have been urging him to sign the bill into law.

Will you contribute $25, $50, $100 or more to fight back against President Obama’s agenda?

The president is playing politics as usual instead of listening to you and the new Republican majority you helped to usher in last November, and we need to let him know that we won’t stand for it.

Please help us send a message to the president with your contribution before our end of month fundraising deadline on Saturday.

Now, more than ever, we need your help. We need to make our voice loud and clear.

Help us make a strong showing this month by making your important contribution today before the February 28 deadline.  

By doing so, you can help ensure that the president knows that his choice to veto Keystone is unacceptable.  

Sincerely,

Team Joni