Overview
- The Arkansas Valley Conduit bill cleared both chambers by voice vote, but the veto stops the repayment changes supporters say are needed to finish the pipeline.
- The project is designed to bring safe water to roughly 39 southeastern Colorado communities — about 50,000 residents — where groundwater has contamination issues.
- In his message, Trump said the measure would shift too much cost to federal taxpayers by lengthening repayment to as many as 75 years and lowering interest.
- Sponsor Rep. Lauren Boebert condemned the move and suggested it may be political retaliation after her push to force release of Justice Department Epstein files.
- Trump also vetoed a Miccosukee Everglades measure, citing the tribe’s opposition to his immigration agenda, and any congressional override remains uncertain.