At a Glance
- Trump vetoes two bipartisan bills
- Pipeline bill aimed to bring clean water to southeastern Colorado
- Miccosukee bill would expand reserved area into Everglades
- Why it matters: Colorado voters and Florida tribes face new challenges, Congress may override
Trump announced Monday that he would veto two pieces of legislation that had passed Congress with bipartisan support. The first targets a pipeline project in Colorado, while the second would add land to the Miccosukee Tribe’s reservation in Florida. Both moves have sparked immediate backlash from lawmakers and local communities.
The Vetoes
Trump vetoed the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act and the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act. In his letter to the House, the president warned that the pipeline had dragged on too long and cost too much, saying:
> “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.”
The Miccosukee bill would have added part of the Everglades National Park to the tribe’s reservation. Trump criticized the tribe for obstructing immigration policies, saying:
> “The Miccosukee Tribe is seeking to obstruct reasonable immigration policies that the American people decisively voted for when I was elected.”
- Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act: pipeline to bring clean water to SE Colorado
- Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act: expand reservation into Everglades
Reactions
Rep. Lauren Boebert, sponsor of the pipeline bill, tweeted “This isn’t over.” Colorado’s senators, Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, denounced the veto on social media, calling it a “revenge tour” and “playing partisan games.” Hickenlooper urged Congress to override the veto, noting it would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
| Bill | Purpose | Passed by | Vetoed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act | Pipeline to bring clean water to SE Colorado | Voice vote | Trump |
| Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act | Expand Miccosukee Reserved Area into Everglades | Voice vote | Trump |
Congress would need a two-thirds vote in each chamber to override the president’s vetoes, a rare but not impossible feat.
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s vetoes target bipartisan legislation aimed at water infrastructure and tribal land expansion.
- Colorado senators are demanding an override, citing impacts on rural water access.
- The Miccosukee bill’s veto was justified by the president on immigration grounds.
Trump’s first vetoes of his second term highlight a growing divide between the executive and congressional leadership, with potential policy implications for both Colorado and Florida.
