Inhofe on Pipeline Veto Threat: Remember Obama 'Lies to Us'

Sen. Jim Inhofe said Wednesday that Republicans "should keep in mind that we have a president who lies to us" in considering the seriousness of President Barack Obama's threats this week to veto the $5.4 billion Keystone XL pipeline.

"He disobeys his own laws with regularity," the Oklahoma Republican said in a conference call with reporters. "He does things that are unconstitutional, knowing that what he's doing is unconstitutional — and he lies to us.

"Just keep that in mind as we hear the threats that come from the White House," Inhofe said.

The Obama administration said Tuesday that the president would veto the legislation if it landed on his desk.

The announcement from White House spokesman Josh Earnest was the first indication of Obama's position on the pipeline since TransCanada Corp. proposed it in 2008.

His comments also came within hours after legislation supporting the pipeline was introduced in the Senate, with the support of all 54 Republicans and six Democrats.

The House is expected to approve its version of the bill Thursday. The Senate is to take up its legislation next week.

Earnest said the legislation should not impede the review process for the project currently being conducted by the State Department or circumvent a lawsuit pending in Nebraska over the pipeline's route.

Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said  Obama's vow could easily fly in the face of Democrats seeking re-election in 2016.

Republicans gained control of the Senate in the November congressional elections and extended their majority in the House.

"He's going to get a lot of pressure from his Democrats," Inhofe said. "They're going to say to him, behind closed doors, 'Either back off that veto threat and allow us to take a vote that will get us re-elected … or we're going to vote for an override.'

"It's two choices that are not very amenable to Obama," he added. "He doesn't have to run for re-election again, but still that's a slap that he doesn't need."

Related Stories:

• Sen. Hoeven on Expected Keystone Veto: Who's Obama Working For?
• GOP Slams Obama's Keystone Veto Threat: 'Defeat Through Delay'