Dozens Of Republicans Join Failed Effort To Override Two Trump Vetoes, Including Of Lauren Boebert’s Bill

The House of Representatives upheld President Donald Trump’s vetoes of two GOP-authored bills Thursday afternoon, despite dozens of Republicans defying the president.

The majority of House Republicans opposed overriding Trump’s vetoes, though several dozen GOP lawmakers joined Democrats in support of both measures. Trump issued the first two vetoes of his term in late December blocking legislation that would complete a long-planned water infrastructure project in southeastern Colorado (H.R. 131) and another allowing the Miccosukee Tribe to expand its land possessions in the Florida Everglades (H.R. 504). Both bills were seen as uncontroversial and sailed through Congress without any member requesting a recorded vote.

Each of the bills failed to clear a two-thirds majority to pass the lower chamber. The votes were standard procedure after the president’s veto messages were transmitted to Congress.

The vote to override Trump’s veto of the Colorado water pipeline bill, sponsored by Republican Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert among other lawmakers, came up short in a vote of 248 to 177. Just 35 GOP lawmakers voted in favor and Republican South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, who is running in a crowded gubernatorial primary, voted present.

A vote to overrule Trump’s veto of the tribal lands bill also failed 236 to 188. Twenty-four Republicans, including the resolution’s sponsors, Florida Reps. Carlos Gimenez, Mario Díaz-Balart and Maria Elvira Salazar, supported the veto override.

Every Democrat who voted supported both overrides.

Trump argued Boebert’s legislation wastes taxpayer dollars in a message to Congress explaining his veto.

“Enough is enough. My administration is committed to preventing American taxpayers from funding expensive and unreliable policies,” Trump wrote in a statement announcing his veto.