According to the New York Times, President Obama is going to start using his veto pen — instead of working with the newly elected Republican Senate:
Wielding the weapon of his pen, President Obama this week is expected to formally reject a Republican attempt to force construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. But in stopping the transit of petroleum from the forests of Alberta to the Gulf Coast, Mr. Obama will be opening the veto era of his presidency.
The Keystone pipeline has bipartisan support, but that won’t deter the president. The Times reports Mitch McConnell’s message for President Obama:
“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,” said Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican majority leader.
President Obama is prepared to become the veto president, even though Americans voted for Republican policies and a new Senate majority last November.