Thanks, Obama: Troubled American #39;Versailles #39; Owner Has #39;Never Been Better #39;
By: mjjacoooll
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Thanks, Obama: Troubled American 'Versailles' Owner Has 'Never Been Better' - Video
Both President Obama and Republican leaders in the 114th Congress have pledged to work together on issues of common interest in 2015. Theyve promised that while they will inevitably disagree on many things, there are general areas in which both parties want to get something done and ought to be able to work together.
Yet Vice President Joe Biden hadnt even finished swearing in the new crop of senators on Tuesday when the White House issued its first veto threat demonstrating that while there may be areas of mutual interest, the Democratic president and the Republican Congress remain far apart on details.
Related: Keystone Could Prove the Power of Obamas Veto Pen
Both Obama and congressional leaders agree that the U.S. needs to continue developing new sources of energy. But Republicans first legislative offering this January is expected to be a bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. On Tuesday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest promised that if the bill makes it to the White House, the president would veto it.
Yes, both sides want to develop new energy projects but theyre miles apart on which ones.
When Obama sits down with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to discuss some other areas that may be ripe for cooperation, such as tax reform, immigration reform, or trade deals, they may run into a similar buzz saw.
REUTERS/Larry Downing U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the media in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington April 17, 2014. Obama spoke about U.S. healthcare, as well as the political situation in Ukraine.
Ross Baker, a Rutgers University political scientist and expert on Congress, said, There are dozens of policy areas in general where, under the right circumstances, the ability exists to bring Democrats and Republicans together with the possible exception of gun control. But when you get down into the details, you run into trouble, he said.
Related: Governors Join Obama in Infrastructure Spending Plea
Immigration reform is a case in point, he said. A Republican immigration reform bill that includes beefed up border security, more sophisticated identification and immigration status technology, and upgraded and expanded visa and agricultural labor programs is entirely possible. But when you get to things like a path to citizenship, everything breaks down.
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Obama Threatens Keystone Veto Before Congress Is Sworn In
Barack Obama has vetoed fewer bills than any U.S. president since James Garfield held the office for six months in 1881. With Republicans now in control of Congress, thatll probably change.
A White House threat yesterday to veto legislation that would allow the Keystone XL pipeline to be built through the U.S. sets up a showdown with Republican leaders, who have laid out an agenda that may also include attempts to dismantle Obamas health-care law and roll back environmental regulations and financial rules. Those measures are central to the legacy of the president, who has vetoed just two bills in six years.
Theyre going to send him some stuff they know ultimately hell veto, said Miguel Rodriguez, a former director of the White House office of legislative affairs and now a partner at Bryan Cave LLP. The message hes going to send is, Listen, I want to work together, but some things are just too far.
That could spark a risky confrontation for both the president and Republican lawmakers. Obama, who has accused Republicans of obstructing his programs since they took control of the U.S. House in 2011, could shoulder public blame for blocking bills that Congress passes. Republicans, who need to show voters they can govern, will face pressure to compromise with him, angering their base.
Obama, in an interview with NPR released on Dec. 29, vowed to protect health and environmental legislation and rules.
I havent used the veto pen very often since Ive been in office, he said. Now I suspect there are going to be some times where Ive got to pull that pen out. Im going to defend gains that weve made in health care. Im going to defend gains that weve made on environment and clean air and clean water.
First up will be Keystone. The House plans to vote on Jan. 9 on a measure to allow the pipeline to be built. While theres enough support in both chambers to approve the project, overriding a presidential veto requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers. That will be especially hard to get in the Senate, where Republicans control 54 of the 100 seats.
The Senate bill was introduced yesterday with 60 co-sponsors, all the Republicans and six Democrats.
Obama has hardened his tone, saying Keystone would create Canadian rather than American jobs as it crosses the U.S. to move oil from Canadas tar sands to the Gulf of Mexico. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said yesterday that if Congress passes a bill, the president wouldnt sign it.
If Obama begins vetoing bills early in the new congressional session, then its likely to degenerate into a political tug of war, said Jon Kyl, who was the No. 2 Senate Republican before leaving the chamber in 2013. Then its just a matter of which one is better at explaining which one is the reason for the gridlock.
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Obama Veto Threat Sets Up Battles on Republican Agenda
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White House press secretary Josh Earnest speaks during a television interview with Fox News in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. President Barack Obama has condemned the shooting at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris that has reportedly killed 12 people. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama says the attack on a Paris newspaper was an attack on journalists and the free press. He's calling it cowardly and evil.
Obama is expressing his deepest sympathies for the French after an attack Wednesday that killed 12. Obama says he hopes to speak today with French President Francois Hollande(frahn-SWAH' oh-LAWND').
Obama says France is one of America's strongest and oldest allies and has been with the U.S. "every moment" since 9/11. He's says the attack in Paris reinforces solidarity between the two countries.
Three masked gunmen shouted "Allahu akbar!" as they stormed the Paris offices of a satirical newspaper. It was France's deadliest postwar terrorist attack.
Obama spoke in the Oval Office before meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
President Barack Obama on Wednesday offered U.S. assistance to pursue the terrorists responsible for a "horrific shooting" at a satirical weekly newspaper that left 12 people dead.
In a statement, Obama condemned the shooting and offered thoughts and prayers for the people of France, which he called "America's oldest ally."
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Obama offers US help to pursue terrorists in French attack
Obama #39;s three weeks of State of the Union previews
Julie Pace tells us why the White House is rolling out their new proposals ahead of the State of the Union address.
By: CNN
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Obama's three weeks of State of the Union previews - Video