At a Glance
- President Donald Trump vetoes two bipartisan bills in his second term.
- One bill would complete a pipeline to bring clean water to southeastern Colorado.
- The other would expand the Miccosukee Reserved Area in Florida to part of the Everglades.
- Why it matters: The vetoes spark partisan backlash and raise questions about federal support for infrastructure and tribal land.
President Donald Trump has exercised his veto power for the first time in his second term, striking down two bills that had enjoyed bipartisan support. The moves-over a Colorado water pipeline and an expansion of Miccosukee land in Florida-have drawn sharp criticism from senators and lawmakers alike.
First Veto: Pipeline Bill
The Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act passed both chambers by voice vote, signaling broad agreement that the pipeline would deliver clean water to communities in southeastern Colorado. The bill would complete the pipeline project and secure a vital water source for the region.
In a letter to the House, Trump cited the pipeline’s prolonged construction and escalating costs as the main reasons for his veto. He wrote:
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 (R-Colo.) responded on social media, saying:
Lauren Boebert wrote:
> “This isn’t over.”
Colorado’s Democratic senators weighed in. Sen. Michael Bennet called the veto a “revenge tour,” while Sen. John Hickenlooper accused Trump of “playing partisan games and punishing Colorado without clean drinking water.” Hickenlooper urged Congress to override the veto, noting a two-thirds majority would be required.
Second Veto: Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act
The Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act would add part of the Everglades National Park-specifically the Osceola Camp area-to the Miccosukee Tribe’s reserved lands. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), also passed Congress by voice vote.
Trump’s veto letter accused the Miccosukee Tribe of seeking to obstruct reasonable immigration policies, stating that the American people had decisively voted for such policies when he was elected.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez‘s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the veto. The silence came as the bill had already passed Congress by voice vote.
Sen. Bennet and Sen. Hickenlooper again criticized the move, calling it a partisan attack that would deny the tribe its rightful land rights.
Veto History and Political Context
Trump has vetoed 10 bills during his first term, with only one overridden by Congress. His first veto came two years into his presidency, targeting a Senate joint resolution that sought to terminate the national emergency declared at the southern border.
These recent vetoes underscore the president’s willingness to use the executive tool against legislation that, while bipartisan, conflicts with his fiscal and policy priorities.
Political Fallout and Potential Overrides
To overturn a veto, Congress must secure a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate-a hurdle that has historically been difficult to achieve.
Sen. Hickenlooper urged lawmakers to act, warning that the veto could leave Colorado’s rural communities without clean water. Sen. Bennet framed the action as a defense against what he described as a ‘revenge tour’ of the president.
Table: Vetoed Bills Overview
| Bill | Sponsor | Passage Method | Veto Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act | Lauren Boebert | Voice vote | Prolonged construction & high cost |
| Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act | Carlos Gimenez | Voice vote | Alleged obstruction of immigration policy |
Key Takeaways
- President Donald Trump vetoed two bipartisan bills in his second term, signaling a sharp policy shift.
- The pipeline veto was driven by concerns over cost and duration, while the Miccosukee land bill was rejected for alleged immigration policy interference.
- Congressional override would require a two-thirds majority, a challenging prospect amid partisan divides.
The vetoes highlight the ongoing tension between executive priorities and bipartisan legislative support, leaving lawmakers to decide whether to challenge the president’s stance. The outcome will shape the balance of power in Washington for the remainder of Trump’s term.
