Trump rejects two major bills in first vetoes of second term
US President Donald Trump has exercised his veto power for the first time in his second term, blocking two bipartisan-backed bills. One bill aimed to complete a long-delayed water pipeline in Colorado, while the other sought to expand a Native American reservation in Florida. Trump argued that the measures were too costly and not in line with his administration’s priorities. The vetoes have sparked strong reactions from lawmakers and advocacy groups.
What we know
- Donald Trump vetoed the “Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act” and the “Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act.”
- The pipeline bill had unanimous support from Congress and was backed by Colorado’s Democratic Senators and Republican Representatives Lauren Boebert and Jeff Hurd.
- Lauren Boebert criticized the veto and noted her recent break with Trump over the Jeffrey Epstein files.
- The Miccosukee tribe, affected by the second veto, had joined a lawsuit against an immigration detention center in the Everglades.
- Presidential vetoes are rare; Trump vetoed 10 bills in his first term, while Joe Biden vetoed 13 during his presidency.
