WASHINGTON (FN) — President Donald Trump has exercised his veto power for the first time in his second term, rejecting two bipartisan bills that sought to expand infrastructure and Native American lands.
The White House announced Monday that Trump vetoed the measures, including the “Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act,” which aimed to complete a decades‑long plan to pipe clean water to Colorado’s Eastern Plains. The second bill would have expanded a Native American reservation.
In a letter to Congress, Trump argued the legislation would be too costly and said he was “preventing American taxpayers from funding expensive and unreliable policies.”
Both the Senate and House of Representatives would need to pass the bills again with a two‑thirds majority to override the president’s veto. That threshold is considered difficult to reach, even with bipartisan support.
The pipeline was initially proposed during John F. Kennedy’s presidency in the 1960s, and the vetoed bill had received unanimous support from both houses of Congress. It was backed by Colorado’s two Democratic Senators and by Republican Representatives Lauren Boebert and Jeff Hurd. “This isn’t over,” Boebert posted on social media after Trump’s veto.
The Arkansas Valley Conduit project has been debated for decades as a way to deliver safe drinking water to rural communities in Colorado. Supporters say it is vital for public health and economic growth, while critics point to the high price tag and logistical challenges.
The tribe joined a lawsuit this year against an immigration detention centre in the Everglades referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz.” A federal judge has ordered much of the site to be dismantled, effectively shuttering the facility. Trump said the tribe was not authorised to inhabit Osceola Camp and that his administration would not allow taxpayer money to be spent on “projects for special interests,” especially for groups “unaligned” with his immigration policies.
Native American leaders expressed disappointment at the veto of the reservation expansion, saying it undermines tribal sovereignty and long‑standing efforts to secure land rights. Advocates argued the measure would have strengthened cultural preservation and economic development.
Trump’s decision marks a rare use of veto power in his second term, signaling a tougher stance on federal spending and infrastructure projects. Analysts noted that the move reflects his broader skepticism of large‑scale government initiatives.
Presidential vetoes are rarely exercised. During his first stint in office, Trump vetoed 10 bills. His predecessor, Joe Biden, vetoed 13 bills over his four‑year term.
Democrats criticized the vetoes as shortsighted, arguing that both bills had broad bipartisan support and addressed urgent needs. “This is a setback for communities that have waited decades for clean water and recognition,” one lawmaker said.
Republicans were divided, with some backing Trump’s fiscal concerns while others lamented the rejection of projects that had strong local support. The split highlights ongoing tensions within the party over balancing fiscal restraint with community investment.
For now, the fate of the Arkansas Valley Conduit and the reservation expansion rests with Congress. Unless lawmakers muster the two‑thirds majority needed to override, both measures will remain stalled, leaving communities in Colorado and Native American tribes waiting once again.
