Overview
- President Trump blocked the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, his first veto of a second term, halting federal support to complete a 130‑mile pipeline serving 39 southeastern Colorado communities.
- The bill cleared the House and Senate by voice vote, but congressional leaders have not said whether they will schedule the two‑thirds votes needed to override the veto.
- Trump’s veto message cited taxpayer burden, noting more than $249 million already spent and total projected costs around $1.3 billion, and objected to extended repayment terms and lower interest for local users.
- Rep. Lauren Boebert, the bill’s sponsor and a longtime Trump ally, condemned the decision and suggested it may be retaliatory after her push to release Jeffrey Epstein files; Colorado senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper issued similar criticisms.
- The White House also vetoed a separate Miccosukee Tribe measure in Florida, reinforcing tensions with supporters of both bipartisan bills that were previously considered noncontroversial.