U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

98–252 2016

114th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – Senate Document 114–10 

VETO—S.J. RES. 24 

(PM 35) 

MESSAGE 

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 

RETURNING

WITHOUT MY APPROVAL S.J. RES. 24, PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED 

STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO ‘‘CARBON POLLUTION EMISSION GUIDELINES FOR EXISTING STATIONARY 

SOURCES: ELECTRIC UTILITY GENERATING UNITS’’, RECEIVED 

DURING ADJOURNMENT OF THE SENATE ON DECEMBER 18, 

2015 

JANUARY 11, 2016.—Ordered to be printed 


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To the Senate of the United States: 

S.J. Res. 24 is a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5 of the United States Code of a 

rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relating to ‘‘Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units.’’ This resolution 

would nullify the Clean Power Plan, the first national standards to 

address climate-destabilizing greenhouse gas pollution from existing power plants. Accordingly, I am withholding my approval of 

this resolution. (The Pocket Veto Case, 279 U.S. 655 (1929)). 

Climate change poses a profound threat to our future and future 

generations. Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas, are higher than they have been in at least 800,000 

years. In 2009, EPA determined that greenhouse gas pollution endangers Americans’ health and welfare by causing long-lasting 

changes in the climate that can have, and are already having, a 

range of negative effects on human health, the climate, and the environment. We are already seeing the impacts of climate change, 

and established science confirms that we will experience stronger 

storms, deeper droughts, longer wildfire seasons, and other intensified impacts as the planet warms. The Pentagon has determined 

that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security. 

The Clean Power Plan is a tremendously important step in the 

fight against global climate change. It is projected to reduce carbon 

pollution from power plants by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 

2030. It builds on progress States and the power sector are already 

making to move toward cleaner energy production, and gives States 

the time and flexibility they need to develop tailored, cost-effective 

plans to reduce their emissions. By nullifying the Clean Power 

Plan, S.J. Res. 24 not only threatens ongoing progress toward 

cleaner energy, but would also eliminate public health and other 

benefits of up to $54 billion per year by 2030, including thousands 

fewer premature deaths from air pollution and thousands fewer 

childhood asthma attacks each year. 

The Clean Power Plan is essential in addressing the largest 

source of greenhouse gas pollution in our country. It is past time 

to act to mitigate climate impacts on American communities. Because the resolution would overturn the Clean Power Plan, which 

is critical to protecting against climate change and ensuring the 

health and well-being of our Nation, I cannot support it. 


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To leave no doubt that the resolution is being vetoed, in addition 

to withholding my signature, I am returning S.J. Res. 24 to the 

Secretary of the Senate, along with this Memorandum of Disapproval. 

BARACK OBAMA. 

THE WHITE HOUSE, December 18, 2015. 

Æ 


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