Biden issues first veto of his presidency over influence from 'MAGA Republicans'

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President Joe Biden vetoed a bill for the first time in his presidency on Monday, arguing that the legislation was overly influenced by "MAGA Republicans."

The Republican-led legislation prevented Biden's administration from taking environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues into account when making investment decisions. GOP lawmakers argue ESG is a measure of a corporation's loyalty to "woke" cultural movements and should not be taken into account.

"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," Biden announced in a Monday tweet.

The bill specifically ended enforcement of a new Labor Department rule that urged private retirement plan fiduciaries to consider ESG in their investment decisions.

ALL GOP SENATORS, MANCHIN CHALLENGE BIDEN'S ESG CLIMATE INVESTMENT RULE 'POLITICIZING' AMERICANS' 401(K)S

President Biden singled out Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., when he announced his first-ever veto on Monday. (Win McNamee / Getty Images / File)

Under the rule, fiduciaries that make investment decisions for the retirement plans of more than 150 million people would be explicitly permitted under federal guidelines to consider companies’ approach to climate change and other social issues, instead of focusing on only profitability and return on investment for retirees.

BIDEN COULD ISSUE HIS FIRST VETO AS CONGRESS PREPARES TO VOTE AGAINST ESG INVESTMENT RULE

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., blasted Biden for the veto on Monday, saying Biden was placing "radical" social agendas over the American people.

"This Administration continues to prioritize their radical policy agenda over the economic, energy and national security needs of our country, and it is absolutely infuriating," Manchin wrote in a statement. "West Virginians are under increasing stress as we continue to recover from a once in a generation pandemic, pay the bills amid record inflation, and face the largest land war in Europe since World War II. The Administration’s unrelenting campaign to advance a radical social and environmental agenda is only exacerbating these challenges."

"President Biden is choosing to put his Administration’s progressive agenda above the well-being of the American people," he added.

President Biden defended his Labor Department rule that encourages retirement investors to account for ESG ratings on Monday. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images / File)

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With Biden's veto, the legislation now returns to Congress, but it is unlikely to receive the two-thirds majority support required to overcome a presidential veto.

Fox News' Peter Kasperowicz contributed to this report.