President Obama said on Tuesday that he vetoed the Keystone pipeline legislation because it "attempts to circumvent longstanding and proven processes for determining whether or not building and operating a cross-border pipeline serves the national interest."
"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," President Obama said.
About those "established executive branch procedures": Would refusing to enforce laws* passed by Congress be among those procedures? If so, please, let's have some examples Mister Obama... or anybody else who can tell us about the history of the kind of brazen "non-cooperation" practiced by this President.
ReplyDelete*That is the Constitutionally-defined raison d'etre for the Executive Branch, is it not?