Posted on 11/18/2014 12:22:13 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
The White House on Tuesday sidestepped the question of whether President Obama would veto a Senate bill authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline.
Asked repeatedly if the president would put the kibosh on the legislation, White House press secretary Josh Earnest would say only that he did not want to leave reporters with the "impression" the president was leaving his options open.
"I’m not in a position to issue veto threats from here, but … there are similar pieces of legislation that have been introduced in this Congress where the president’s senior advisers have recommended a veto," Earnest said.
Earnest was unequivocal, however, on Obama’s opposition to the bill.
"The State Department is the proper venue for reaching this determination," Earnest said, adding that "it certainly is a piece of legislation that the president doesn't support."
The bill appears one vote shy of the 60 needed for a filibuster-proof majority, but the White House offered no prediction of how the vote would turn out.
"I know that some supporters of the proposal say that they have the votes necessary to pass the bill," Earnest said. "But, you know, they’ll put the bill on the floor tonight and I guess we’ll all find out."
The White House also evaded questions as to whether the president's veto was intended as a bargaining tactic ahead of Republicans taking control of the Senate in January.
By that logic, the administration would pocket veto the bill for now, but offer approval to the GOP-controlled Congress in exchange for one of the president's priorities next year.
"That presupposes that it's going to pass in the Senate [on Tuesday]," Earnest said. "So I think we'll probably wait and see what happens in the Senate, and see whether or not … this comes to the president's desk before we sort of make decisions about the next steps."
The White House spokesman did acknowledge it was "probably fair to say" that the administration was thinking about some of those next steps.
Well, THAT's total Grubering slobering.
Agreed. But the time for that determination was years ago. When they won't do their job, someone else eventually will.
The answer has already been given
Since the pipeline will not induce unfavorable climate change, the bill will be signed into law.
Send the POS the bill... make the POS veto it!
Who would filibuster, and how long do you think they would last? I for one would welcome a filibuster. It would draw the attention of the public to see that the Democrats are blocking a project that would create thousands of jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign (i.e., Middle East oil)
We all know why it is one vote shy...to give her to look as if she cares and give eboma no way to have to veto the vote.
Well, I have an idea. Just send President Ebola the bill and let him veto it. Then everyone will know where the pResident who masquerades as an American stands on the issue.
Negotiating or Compromising is only for Republicans.
Comcast does not support C SPAN ... guess who I have ....
The WH is a goose....
Foggy Bottom is the LAST PLACE for determination of the appropriateness of petroleum pipeline approval on behalf of the peeps of the US.
This is an oxymoron.
Either the State Department is the proper venue, making this a treaty, or Congress is the proper venue, making it legislation.
If it is legislation, then Obama is wrong to say that State is the proper venue.
If it is a treaty, then only the Senate needs to vote to ratify it, making the idea that Obama can "offer" it in exchange for other priorities just plain wrong.
-PJ
Obama always lets ISIS know our plans... “no boots on the ground”... unless they get a nuke etc... Even tells ISIS what would be more ‘effective’.
Why so tight mouthed with citizens of the United States?
If Obama is willing to go to the mat over Keystone then he’s signaling a scorched-earth policy for the remainder of his term. May as well start impeachment proceedings...
“We all know why it is one vote shy...to give her to look as if she cares and give eboma no way to have to veto the vote.”
Actually with 18 years in the senate, not getting 60 votes means she was an abject failure.
At least Carney looked uncomfortable having to lie for Obama sometimes, this guy acts like he has no conscience whatsoever
Obama" OK I got it now....
Heads is we have Wagu Beef for lunch
and Tails is for Lobster.
Senior advisor to self "what a dufus"
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