Various news sources are reporting Bush's veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007. Congress is expected to override the veto next week. The AP reports in Bush Vetoes Water Projects Bill:
. . .The $23 billion water bill passed in both chambers of Congress by well more than the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto and make the bill law.
Bush objected to the $9 billion in projects added during negotiations between the House and Senate. He hoped that his action, even though it is sure not to hold, would cast him as a friend to conservatives who demand a tighter rein on federal spending.
But Bush never vetoed spending bills under the Republican Congress, despite budgetary increases then, too. Attempting to demonstrate fiscal toughness in the seventh year of his presidency, Bush risks being criticized for doing too little, too late and of waging a transparently partisan attack against the Democrats who now run Capitol Hill. . . .
Congressman Walz has issued a statement about the veto of the bill, which contained important items for the First:
Today, President Bush issued his fifth veto, of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007. This bipartisan legislation authorizes approximately $23 billion for more than 800 water projects, studies and new projects for the Army Corps of Engineers. In response, Congressman Walz issued the following statement:
"I am very disappointed that, even though Congress passed this legislation with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, President Bush has shown he is not serious about addressing the significant infrastructure problems facing this country. Congress has not passed a WRDA bill in more than seven years and this legislation authorizes important projects like an upgrade to the locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi River and a water treatment facility in the City of Goodview. Next week, the House and the Senate will vote on whether to override the President's veto and I am optimistic that we will succeed."
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