Overview
- The Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act passed both chambers by voice vote, but the veto halts adjustments supporters said were needed to complete the project.
- Trump’s message called the pipeline an excessive burden on federal taxpayers, noting more than $249 million already spent and total costs estimated around $1.3–$1.4 billion.
- Rep. Lauren Boebert, the bill’s House sponsor, condemned the decision and suggested it may be political retaliation after her push to release DOJ files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
- Backers say the conduit would deliver safe drinking water to about 50,000 people across 39 southeastern Colorado communities where wells face salinity and occasional radioactivity.
- An override requiring two-thirds votes in both chambers is possible but uncertain, and the White House also issued a second veto on a Miccosukee Tribe land measure.