The voting American public became tired of Congressional Democrats, so they gave Republicans control of the Senate and created an even larger majority in the House. Therefore, even before seeing what legislation the GOP may pass, Obama is already threatening to pull out his veto pen. He’s apparently forgotten that he has a phone (actually, lots of them) with which he can reach out to duly elected Congressional members. But, then, he didn’t do that much with his own Party
(AP) Warning from President Barack Obama to congressional Republicans: I have a veto pen and, come January, I won’t be afraid to use it.
Since taking office in 2009, Obama has only vetoed legislation twice, both in fairly minor circumstances. But with Republicans set to take full control of Congress next year, Obama is losing his last bulwark against a barrage of bills he doesn’t like: the Senate.
“I haven’t used the veto pen very often since I’ve been in office,” Obama said in an NPR interview airing Monday. “Now, I suspect, there are going to be some times where I’ve got to pull that pen out.”
He added: “I’m going to defend gains that we’ve made in health care. I’m going to defend gains that we’ve made on environment and clean air and clean water.”
Other than Obamacare (a law that is still underwater at 56% disapprove 37% approve), most of those so-called gains have come not from actual law making, but executive action. “Gains” that cost jobs as well as raise the cost of living for Americans who do not take 2 week vacations in Hawaii while traveling free on giant jumbo jets with large motorcades on the way to the golf course. That said, it is ensured that the GOP will come after, if not the entire Ocare law in a repeal/replace manner, certain aspects of the law, along with illegal immigration (the GOP may well side with Obama on comprehensive immigration reform) and climate change silliness.
But Obama said he was hopeful that at least on some issues, that won’t be necessary, because there’s overlap between his interests and those of congressional Republicans. On that point, at least, he’s in agreement with incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
“Bipartisan jobs bills will see the light of day and will make it to the President’s desk, and he’ll have to make decisions about ideology versus creating jobs for the middle class,” McConnell said in response to Obama’s comments. “There’s a lot we can get done together if the president puts his famous pen to use signing bills rather than vetoing legislation his liberal allies don’t like.”
There are hundreds of jobs/economic bills that have languished in the Democrat led Senate after passing in the House, and we can be assured that the GOP will pass quite a few of them. Will Obama veto those?
Potential areas for cooperation include tax reform and global trade deals — both issues where Obama and Republicans see at least partially eye to eye. Conversely, the likeliest points of friction surround Environmental Protection Agency regulations, the Keystone XL pipeline and Obama’s unilateral steps on immigration, which let millions of people in the U.S. illegally avoid deportation and get work permits.
There are many areas of agreement between the two that Congressional Democrats loath, such as the Pacific Rim trade deal.
If the GOP is smart, they will mostly stay away from social issues, and focus on the economy. You can bet the ranch on the GOP passing legislation on Keystone XL in January, sending it right over to Obama’s desk. If Obama vetoes it, he’ll be vetoing a project that is popular with the American People.
Time will tell how it all shakes out. That said, after observing Obama’s time in office for 6 years, as well as knowing his background, he prefers fights and partisan strife to compromise and working together.
Crossed at Right Wing News.
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