Obama defies Republicans, vetoes Keystone XL bill

US President Barack Obama has vetoed a bill approving the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline.

"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," Obama wrote in a message to the Senate on Tuesday.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest confirmed earlier that the president had received the bill from the US Congress and intended to issue a veto without "any drama or fanfare or delay."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced earlier in the day that the bill would be sent to Obama.

“Congress is sending the president another piece of bipartisan legislation today," McConnell said. "Americans of both parties are calling on him to sign it. There’s no reason not to… The Keystone jobs bill is just common sense."

Officials from the Obama administration had earlier warned of a veto against the controversial plan.

The White House alleges that the State Department has to make sure that the pipeline serves the US interests.

"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," Obama wrote.

The pipeline would transport some 800,000 barrels of heavy crude from Hardisty, Alberta, to refineries in Port Arthur, Texas.

According to Earnest, the veto would be issued behind closed doors and with no media coverage.

"You can count on that today," he said, adding, "It certainly is possible the president will keep an open mind as the State Department considers the wide range of impacts this pipeline could have on the country, both positive and negative.”

Republicans' quick reaction

Supporters of the bill were quick to react to the expected veto with House Speaker John Boehner calling the move a “national embarrassment”.

"It’s embarrassing when Russia and China are plowing ahead on two massive pipelines and we can’t get this one no-brainer of a project off the ground.  The president is just too close to environmental extremists to stand up for America’s workers."

Many environmental activists have already voiced opposition against the pipeline construction arguing that it would extract oil from dirty tar sands in Canada while it will not leave a significant impact on the US economy.

Several protests have been held against the pipeline with demonstrators saying that production of oil from Canada’s tar sands is energy-intensive and will increase global warming.

The Republicans support the plan citing job creation and a boost to the US economy through supply of reliable energy and a fall in oil prices.

This is the third time that Obama is using his executive power.

“The presidential power to veto legislation is one I take seriously. But I also take seriously my responsibility to the American people,” said the president.

Among other issues, the Keystone XL construction has been at the center of a row between Obama and the Republican-held Congress.

NT/NT

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