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Obama vetoes controversial Keystone XL bill

25 February 2015 00:54 (UTC +04:00)

"Because this act of Congress conflicts with established executive branch procedures and cuts short thorough consideration of issues that could bear on our national interest -- including our security, safety, and environment -- it has earned my veto," Obama wrote in a message to the Senate on Tuesday.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest confirmed earlier that the president had received the bill from the US Congress and intended to issue a veto without "any drama or fanfare or delay."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced that the bill would be sent to Obama earlier in the day.

“Congress is sending the president another piece of bipartisan legislation today," McConnell said. "Americans of both parties are calling on him to sign it. There’s no reason not to… The Keystone jobs bill is just common sense."

Officials from the Obama administration had earlier warned of a veto against the controversial plan.

The White House alleges that the State Department has to make sure that the pipeline serves the US interests.

"Through this bill, the United States Congress attempts to circumvent longstanding and proven processes for determining whether or not building and operating a cross-border pipeline serves the national interest," Obama wrote.

The pipeline would transport some 800,000 barrels of heavy crude from Hardisty, Alberta, to refineries in Port Arthur, Texas.

According to Earnest, the veto would be issued behind closed doors and with no media coverage.

"You can count on that today," he said, adding, "It certainly is possible the president will keep an open mind as the State Department considers the wide range of impacts this pipeline could have on the country, both positive and negative,”