Biden set to outdo predecessor in vetoing bills
President Biden on Pace to Outveto Predecessors
President Joe Biden is on track to surpass his recent predecessors in the number of vetoes issued during his presidency. Since taking office, Biden has already issued nine vetoes, outpacing former President Donald Trump’s ten vetoes over four years and former President Barack Obama’s twelve vetoes across two terms.
Biden has not been shy about issuing veto threats either. Since Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives in January 2023, he has issued over two dozen veto threats on a range of issues, including student loans, tax provisions, and labor relations.
Conservatives Criticize Veto Habit
The president’s frequent use of the veto has drawn criticism from conservatives who argue that he should work more closely with Congress. They point out that any legislation reaching Biden’s desk has already gone through a Democratic-controlled Senate.
“In every case, the bills he vetoed earned bipartisan support and expressed the will of the people through their elected representatives,” said Jenny Beth Martin, honorary chairwoman of Tea Party Patriots Action. “Biden is so beholden to his left-wing base that even clearly bipartisan legislation receives his veto stamp at a higher rate than the last three presidents.”
This week, the House is set to vote on two bills that Biden has threatened to veto. The first bill is a disapproval resolution aimed at overturning the Biden administration’s decision to waive “Buy America” requirements for government-funded electric chargers. This is part of a broader effort to slow down the White House’s push to electrify cars.
Although the measure has already passed the Senate, Biden described it as “harming domestic manufacturing and American jobs” in his veto threat.
Another bill that could face a veto is a House bill seeking to overturn a National Labor Relations Board rule that would make it easier to label businesses as joint employers. Labor unions support the rule, while opponents argue that it would have a negative impact on franchise businesses.
Republican Sponsors Slam Veto Threat
The GOP sponsors of the bill criticized Biden’s veto threat. “Whenever Washington’s union cabal comes knocking on the president’s door, he immediately grovels on the floor, kisses their feet, and pledges to do their bidding,” said House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC). “His veto threat reeks of the same anti-entrepreneurial rot that his administration has always shoved down the throats of America’s workers and small businesses.”
Rep. John James (R-MI), the bill’s primary sponsor, added, “if Joe Biden vetoes my resolution to support Americans hoping to achieve the American dream, then Americans should veto Joe Biden.”
In response, President Biden argues that it is Republicans in Congress who are working against the interests of ordinary voters. He believes that workers have the right to bargain for fair wages and working conditions with any company that controls their employment terms and conditions.
With the GOP-led Congress now in session for 2024 and a closely divided Senate with swing voters, such as Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), the veto dance is likely to continue throughout the year.
When questioned about vetoes in the past, the White House has maintained that it is protecting the interests of voters, despite congressional actions.
“Why does he accept the will of the people in one area but ignore the will of the people when it seeks to block the transfer of this debt to the taxpayers?” a reporter asked last June after Congress voted to overturn Biden’s $400 student loan forgiveness plan.
“I don’t think protecting American families or giving them a little bit of breathing room is going against the will of the American people,” responded White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “When you think about his plan and how it’s going to help 90% of Americans who make $75,000 or less.”
As the presidency progresses, it remains to be seen how President Biden’s use of the veto power will shape his relationship with Congress and the American people.
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What impact has Biden’s veto threats had on Congress and their willingness to make concessions
Eats are just another example of his allegiance to Big Labor.”
If both bills pass the House and Senate, Biden will be faced with the decision of whether to follow through on his veto threats. If he does, it will further solidify his place as one of the most prolific veto issuers in recent history.
While some may argue that Biden’s frequent use of the veto is a sign of his unwillingness to work with Congress, others see it as a necessary tool for ensuring his agenda is implemented. With a slim Democratic majority in both the House and Senate, Biden faces an uphill battle in getting key legislation passed. By threatening vetoes, he can exert pressure on lawmakers to make concessions or modify bills to align with his priorities.
So far, Biden has been successful in using the veto as a negotiating tactic. In January, he issued a veto threat against a defense policy bill due to the absence of a provision to remove the Confederate names from military installations. While the bill passed both chambers with bipartisan support, Congress eventually revised the bill to include the provision, appeasing the president and avoiding a veto.
As Biden continues to exercise his veto power, it remains to be seen how effective he will be in achieving his policy agenda. Whether his frequent use of the veto will be seen as a hindrance or a strategic maneuver is a matter of perspective.
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