How Obama’s Veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline Unfolded in Real Time
Kate Scanlon /
After its passage in both the House and the Senate, legislation authorizing construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline reached President Obama’s desk today.
But, in his first rejection of major legislation as president, Obama didn’t sign it.
Twitter users tracked the entire veto process throughout the day.
The proposed pipeline would stretch 1,179 miles, carrying oil from Canada to Nebraska before meeting with existing pipelines that would carry it to its final destination – refineries along the Gulf Coast. Some support the legislation:
POTUS will VETO #KeystoneXL that his own SD says will provide approx 42,000 jobs! So don’t tell me @TheDemocrats U care abt the middle-class
— Elisabeth (@10thAmendment) February 24, 2015
The President has the opportunity to do the right thing today. Sign the #KeystoneXL bill!
— Stuart McDaniel (@stuart_mcdaniel) February 24, 2015
“@ChuckNellis: Pipelines are safer, it’s time for #KeystoneXL. http://t.co/8cCL6ekvkg” True. But Obama doesn’t care about any of that!
— Robert Montgomery (@rmandetroit) February 24, 2015
Some oppose it:
Unless you are invested in the oil industry & care nothing for the environment, the #KeystoneXL in no way benefits you or your family.
— Cletis Stump (@CletisStump) February 24, 2015
I hope @BarackObama veto #KeystoneXL @joshledermanAP @WhiteHouse @350 @NRDC @nokxlpledge @TarSandsAction @Greenpeace @foe_us #KeystoneXL
— Jason Jones (@ColoredSpaces) February 24, 2015
#VETO #KeystoneXL ????????
— Sheila Saldivar (@shesaldivar) February 24, 2015
The president has been consistent in saying that he would reject the Keystone XL pipeline until all of the environmental and regulatory reviews are complete.
Of all issues Obama has faced, Keystone is the one on which he has most obviously played the Washington political games he likes to deplore.
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) February 24, 2015
President Obama’s veto of #KeystoneXL legislation is expected today, the White House says. No pictures, no ceremony, no surprise.
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) February 24, 2015
On #KXL veto @PressSec says “You can count on that today.” W @katiezez http://t.co/o6hZJEM0JO
— Juliet Eilperin (@eilperin) February 24, 2015
Some politicians took to Twitter in a last-ditch effort to sway the president in their direction.
#KeystoneXL is a no-brainer in every way. Americans deserve to know what a presidential veto would mean: http://t.co/AxuCgfoHRz
— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) February 24, 2015
The #KeystoneXL pipeline bill has been sent to the @WhiteHouse. The President should approve this pro-jobs project. pic.twitter.com/sd1wpN91Hx
— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) February 24, 2015
Mr. President, sign the bill into law. Americans Are Ready. #KeystoneXL pic.twitter.com/C8MKJBCEKP
— Rep. Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) February 24, 2015
The #KeystoneXL jobs bill heads to @barackobama today. We need energy independence and American jobs. RT to tell POTUS to sign. #TimeToBuild
— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) February 24, 2015
https://twitter.com/JebBush/status/570285042511044608
One member of Congress was very optimistic the president would change his mind:
Today POTUS gets the #KeystoneXL bill signed, sealed & delivered http://t.co/iJi5aaOYPV #TimeToBuild
— Rep. Tom Marino (@RepTomMarino) February 24, 2015
First, The Hill reported this:
White House says #KeystoneXL veto definitely coming today: http://t.co/JUWpbEstJk pic.twitter.com/A10O32GQDy
— The Hill (@thehill) February 24, 2015
Then, some supporters got their hopes up when they reported this:
White House says Obama might approve #KeystoneXL: http://t.co/cSXqe9tinh pic.twitter.com/EqoZn4bAcY
— The Hill (@thehill) February 24, 2015
Is the President listening to the American people on #KeystoneXL? pic.twitter.com/VjRFh57rxp
— AFP (@AFPhq) February 24, 2015
Anyone who watched @PressSec today and saw #KeystoneXL as anything but unlikely was not watching closely. #NoKXL
— David Turnbull (@david_turnbull) February 24, 2015
While waiting for the president’s decision, the Natural Resources Defense Council launched a Tumblr page tracking the veto.
Has President Obama Vetoed #KeystoneXL? Not yet! http://t.co/dzhKpCnGOw #NoKXL
— NRDC (@NRDC) February 24, 2015
The president ultimately vetoed the legislation.
President to veto Keystone pipeline bill – “You can count on that today” says spokesman Josh Earnest
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) February 24, 2015
LOW KEY-STONE: Obama announces Keystone veto in message to Senate.
— Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) February 24, 2015
BREAKING: WH @PressSec confirms President Obama will veto thousands of good-paying middle class jobs today. #Keystone #tcot #KXL
— Rep. Bill Huizenga (@RepHuizenga) February 24, 2015
Senate clerk now reading the veto message from President Obama on the Keystone XL oil pipeline
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) February 24, 2015
Here’s how some members of Congress reacted to the veto.
Very disappointed to learn President Obama has vetoed the bi-partisan XL Keystone Pipeline bill. It’s a veto of American jobs. #KeystoneXL
— Rep. Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) February 24, 2015
I applaud the president for vetoing the #KeystoneXL pipeline bill. pic.twitter.com/3vaxNAlOkM
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 24, 2015
Pres. Obama’s veto of the #KeystoneXL jobs bill is a national embarrassment. http://t.co/bGKivbCn15
— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) February 24, 2015
Obama asked for infrastructure bills, jobs bills, and bipartisanship — then he vetoes #KeystoneXL Seriously. http://t.co/7MqlhInzrC
— David B. McKinley (@RepMcKinley) February 24, 2015
Robert Steurer, communications director for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., tweeted that there will be an override vote.
The President vetoed the bipartisan #KeystoneXL jobs bill. The #Senate will soon vote on an override.
— Robert Steurer (@RobertSteurer) February 24, 2015
I support a #KXL veto override vote. Congress must ban together w/the majority of Americans who support this job-creating initiative.
— Jim Inhofe (@jiminhofe) February 24, 2015