President Biden sparked outrage after issuing the first veto of his presidency Monday to thwart a bipartisan anti-ESG bill.
The bipartisan bill sought to strike down a new Labor Department rule encouraging retirement fiduciaries to consider environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues in their investments. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., blasted Biden for the veto, saying, "President Biden is choosing to put his Administration’s progressive agenda above the well-being of the American people."
Biden tweeted a video of himself discussing the veto and trying to blame "MAGA Republicans" for it.
"I just vetoed my first bill. This bill would risk your retirement savings by making it illegal to consider risk factors MAGA House Republicans don't like. Your plan manager should be able to protect your hard-earned savings — whether Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene likes it or not," he said.
Commentators and public figures across Twitter scorched Biden both for the veto as well as how he framed the legislation.
"The fact that Biden’s first veto is about promoting ESG reveals the problem: this isn’t the invisible hand of the ‘free market.’ It’s the invisible fist of government. Don’t fall for their trick," presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy tweeted.
