"The presidential power to veto legislation is one I take seriously," Obama said in his veto message to the Senate. "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."
A couple of reactions:
- It was reported that this was only the third veto of Obama's six-plus years in the White House. While he chides the GOP as "obstructionists," Obama comes off as this grand leader ready and willing to sign passed legislation if those damned Republicans would just get on the stick. But the reality is that Obama was a rubber stamp for a Democrat majority in Congress his first two years in office. Then over the next four years, when the GOP had control of the U.S. House, the Dem majority in the Senate rarely even allowed debate on legislation passed by House Republicans. The point being is that the hyper-partisan President hardly ever saw any Republican drafted legislation thanks to his leftist colleagues in the U.S. Senate.
- I love that whole bit of "this act of Congress conflicts with established executive branch procedures." This from the guy who totally usurped the separation of powers by unilaterally changing established immigration law because Congress wouldn't kowtow to his demands. But now that it's at his whimsy, Obama tries to come off as this constitutional purist in not breaching said separation. Pretty ballsy
While this bill had pretty significant bipartisan support, I find it highly unlikely that Congressional Republicans can conjure up 45 House Democrats (assuming all 245 Republicans vote "yes") and 13 Senate Dems to override the president's veto. Alas.
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