Overview
- H.R. 131, the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, passed both chambers by voice vote but now stalls federal support for completing a decades-old pipeline serving about 39 communities and roughly 50,000 residents in southeastern Colorado.
- In his veto message, Trump argued the bill would lengthen local repayment and cut interest, shifting more costs to Washington after roughly $249 million was already spent on a project with estimates near $1.3 billion.
- Sponsor Rep. Lauren Boebert denounced the decision and suggested it could be political retaliation after she helped force release of Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
- The veto arrives as Trump’s clash with Colorado intensifies over the imprisonment of former election official Tina Peters, and he also vetoed a separate bipartisan bill involving the Miccosukee Tribe in Florida.
- Overriding the veto would require two‑thirds majorities in both chambers, and congressional leaders have not committed to bringing an override vote.