Congress Overrides President's Veto Of Water Resources Bill

Press Release

Congress Overrides President's Veto Of Water Resources Bill

The U.S. Senate Thursday joined the House of Representatives in overriding President Bush's veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) - the first time Congress has overridden a veto during the Bush Administration. The bipartisan Senate vote was 79 to 14 in favor of overriding the veto.

The bill authorizes water resources projects in Vermont and nationwide, which now will be subject to funding in the annual Appropriations process.

Sanders said, "As a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I am delighted that Congress was able to override the president's veto in a strong, bipartisan way. This legislation lays the groundwork for vitally important ecosystem restoration projects throughout Vermont from Lake Champlain to the Connecticut River. The Water Resources Development Act also provides authority for dam construction and other projects to prevent flood damage in Vermont and across the country."

Reacting to the veto override, Leahy said, "I am pleased an overwhelmingly bipartisan Senate majority overturned President Bush's veto of this bill. This is an important piece of our efforts to clean up and protect Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River. These investments support the good stewardship of our lakes and rivers that Vermonters support and deserve. The strong showing in this override vote shows that the Bush Administration's practice of snubbing domestic priorities while shoveling hundreds of billions of dollars to Iraq has its limits, even on the Republican side of the aisle. The President is out of touch with a growing bipartisan majority in the country. I hope this vote signals a turning point for the President's partisan-inspired veto threats, especially for other important upcoming legislation like the Farm Bill and all of the Appropriations bills."

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