In a recent vote, the House of Representatives upheld President Donald Trump’s veto of the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC) Act. The decision, made on January 8, 2025, saw a significant majority of House Republicans siding with the veto, despite a concerted bipartisan effort to overturn it.
House Vote Details
The final tally was 248 votes in favor of the veto and 177 against it. Notably, all Colorado members of Congress supported the bill aimed at delivering clean drinking water to approximately 50,000 residents in southeastern Colorado. Only 35 Republican representatives voted to override the veto, falling short of the two-thirds majority required.
Backlash from Colorado Representatives
GOP Representative Lauren Boebert, the bill’s sponsor, expressed her surprise and disappointment following the vote. She criticized her colleagues for not standing firm on a policy that was broadly supported. “This is purely political and it’s very unfortunate,” she stated. Boebert emphasized her determination to find alternative routes to accomplish the project’s goals.
Echoing her sentiments, Representative Jeff Hurd reiterated his commitment to the southeastern Colorado project. He indicated that the lawmakers would explore other pathways to secure funding and facilitate the AVC project, which is crucial for local communities struggling with water contamination.
Project Financials
The AVC Act proposed extending the repayment period for local water users from 50 years to 100 years while lowering applicable interest rates. An estimate from the Congressional Budget Office indicated that the measure would cost the federal government less than $500,000 and would not adversely affect federal revenue. Despite its minimal financial impact, the bill’s defeat highlighted political rifts within Congress.
Statements from Colorado Lawmakers
Democratic Senator John Hickenlooper voiced his discontent with the House vote. He recalled the unanimous support from Colorado lawmakers for the AVC project before Christmas and criticized the political maneuvering surrounding the veto. Hickenlooper reaffirmed that rural Colorado communities now bear the consequences of these political games.
Representative Boebert noted the dangers of neglecting the AVC project, stressing high contamination levels that could drastically increase the price of drinking water for affected communities. She pointed out that the project initially received backing from the Trump administration back in 2020.
The Wider Implications of the Veto
Many Colorado representatives argued that the veto represented a political standoff rather than a disagreement over the bill’s merits. Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse remarked that the refusal to challenge the veto sets a troubling precedent. “If we allow such actions to stand, no community is safe from political retaliation,” he warned.
Potential Next Steps
The failure to override the veto leaves Colorado lawmakers searching for alternative strategies to advance the legislation, possibly by integrating it into other legislative packages. A collective letter from Colorado representatives urged their Democratic colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing its minimal cost and its importance to economically vulnerable communities.
In his veto message, Trump highlighted the project’s financial implications, arguing that localities should bear the costs rather than federal taxpayers. Meanwhile, some democrats suggested the veto could stem from grievances related to state-level politics, including past incidents involving controversial figures in Colorado.
The AVC project, initially estimated at $600 million in 2016, now faces projected costs of over $1.3 billion due to rising inflation and supply chain issues, highlighting the urgent need for decisive action.
