President Obama stung by first veto override of his administration, on 9/11 bill

The White House saw it coming, but still it stung.

By Kathleen Hennessey

Published September 29, 2016 6:15PM (EDT)

This frame grab from video provided by C-SPAN2, shows the floor of the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, as the Senate acted decisively to override President Barack Obama's veto of Sept. 11 legislation. The White House saw it coming, but still it stung. When President Barack Obama was hit with the first veto override of his presidency on Wednesday, it landed as a clear reminder of his dwindling political influence, years of confounding relationships with Congress and shaky prospects for the few legislative priorities he has left (C-SPAN2 via AP) (AP)
This frame grab from video provided by C-SPAN2, shows the floor of the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, as the Senate acted decisively to override President Barack Obama's veto of Sept. 11 legislation. The White House saw it coming, but still it stung. When President Barack Obama was hit with the first veto override of his presidency on Wednesday, it landed as a clear reminder of his dwindling political influence, years of confounding relationships with Congress and shaky prospects for the few legislative priorities he has left (C-SPAN2 via AP) (AP)

WASHINGTON — The White House saw it coming, but still it stung.

When President Barack Obama was hit with the first veto override of his presidency on Wednesday, it landed as a clear reminder of his dwindling political influence, years of confounding relationships with Congress and shaky prospects for the few legislative priorities he has left.

Only one of his 44 fellow Democrats in the Senate — Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada — stood by Obama to uphold his veto of a piece of Sept. 11 legislation. Every Republican voted to override and the Republican-led House followed suit.

No modern president has made it through two full terms without Congress overriding at least one of his vetoes. George W. Bush suffered four and Bill Clinton two.


By Kathleen Hennessey

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