At a Glance
- President Trump vetoed two bipartisan bills: a pipeline measure and a land-expansion act for the Miccosukee Tribe.
- Both bills had passed Congress by voice vote, showing strong bipartisan support.
- Colorado senators slammed the vetoes as a “revenge tour” and partisan retaliation.
- Why it matters: The vetoes could delay a clean-water pipeline for southeastern Colorado and prevent expansion of tribal land in Florida, affecting taxpayers and local communities.
President Trump’s first week of his second term saw the president reject two bills that had enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan backing in Congress. The vetoes-one for a water pipeline and another expanding tribal land-ignited criticism from lawmakers in Colorado and raised questions about the future of both projects.
Pipeline Bill Veto
Trump vetoed the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, which aimed to complete a pipeline bringing clean water to southeastern Colorado. In a letter to the House, the president wrote:
> “Enough is enough.”
President Trump stated:
> “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 bill had passed both chambers by voice vote.
- Trump cited the project’s long delays and high costs as the main reasons for the veto.
- Rep. Lauren Boebert, the bill’s sponsor, replied on social media: “This isn’t over.”
Miccosukee Land Bill Veto
The second veto targeted the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act, which would have expanded the tribe’s land to include part of the Everglades National Park. Trump’s letter also included:
> “to obstruct reasonable immigration policies that the American people decisively voted for when I was elected.”
- The bill also passed Congress by voice vote.
- The Miccosukee Tribe’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Political Reactions
Colorado senators reacted strongly to the vetoes. Sen. Michael Bennet called the action a “revenge tour,” while Sen. John Hickenlooper accused Trump of “playing partisan games and punishing Colorado by making rural communities suffer without clean drinking water.” Both senators urged Congress to overturn the vetoes, which would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
- Trump has vetoed 10 bills during his first term; only one was overridden.
- The first veto of his second term came two years into his term, targeting a resolution that sought to terminate a national emergency declared at the southern border.
Key Takeaways
- Two highly supported bills-one for a water pipeline and another expanding tribal land-were vetoed by President Trump.
- Colorado senators condemned the vetoes as partisan retaliation and called for an override.
- The vetoes may delay clean water access in Colorado and halt expansion of tribal land in Florida.
The vetoes underscore a clash between the president’s fiscal priorities and bipartisan legislative efforts aimed at addressing water access and tribal land rights.
