Congress Overrides Bush Veto On Water Bill

First Veto Override During Bush Presidency Comes On $23B Water Resources Bill

(CBS/AP)  President Bush suffered the first veto override of his seven-year-old presidency Thursday as the Senate enacted a $23 billion water resources bill despite his protest that it was too expensive. It was the first time in nearly a decade that Congress has passed a bill over a presidential veto.

The vote was 79-14 to pass the bill. Enactment was a foregone conclusion, but it still marked a milestone for a president who spent his first six years with a much friendlier Congress controlled by his Republican Party. Now he confronts a more hostile, Democratic-controlled legislature, and Thursday's vote showed that even many Republicans will defy him on spending matters dear to their political careers.

The bill funds hundreds of Army Corps of Engineers projects, such as dams, sewage plants and beach restoration, that are important to local communities and their representatives. It also includes money for the hurricane-hit Gulf Coast and for Florida Everglades restoration efforts.

The argument for fiscal discipline doesn't trump 700 water projects in states all around the country, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss. Even such staunch allies as Oklahoma's James Inhofe voted against the president.

Mr. Bush's spokeswoman portrayed the issue as a divide between a budget-conscious president and a big-spending Congress.

"The president is standing up for the taxpayers," White House press secretary Dana Perino said. "No one is surprised that this veto is overridden. We understand that members of Congress are going to support the projects in their districts. Budgeting is about making choices and defining priorities — it doesn't mean you can have everything. This bill doesn't make the difficult choices; it says we can fund every idea out there. That's not a responsible way to budget."

The House voted 361-54 to override the veto Tuesday. Both votes easily exceeded the two-thirds majority needed in each chamber to negate a presidential veto.

The last such veto override happened when Congress dealt President Clinton the second of his two overrides in February 1998.

Mr. Bush vetoed no bills during his first five years in office. He has since vetoed a stem cell research bill twice, an Iraq spending bill that set guidelines for troop withdrawals, and a children's health insurance bill. House and Senate Republicans managed to sustain those vetoes.

But they broke ranks on the Water Resources Development Act, or WRDA, which Bush vetoed on Nov. 2, calling it too expensive. Thirty-four Republicans voted with the 43 Democrats and two independents to override the veto. Two Democrats, Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, voted with 12 Republicans to sustain Bush's veto.

His supporters have noted that the Army Corps has a backlog of $58 billion worth of projects and an annual budget of about $2 billion to address them.

The bill, the first water system restoration and flood control authorization passed by Congress since 2000, would cost $11.2 billion over the next four years, and $12 billion in the 10 years after that, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Flood protection projects along the Gulf Coast, including 100-year levee protection in New Orleans, would cost about $7 billion if fully funded. The bill approves projects but does not fund them.

Some of Mr. Bush's most ardent allies argued for the override. "This bill is enormously important, and it has been a long time coming," said Sen. David Vitter, R-La., whose state was hammered by Hurricane Katrina two years ago.

The bill "is one of the few areas where we actually do something constructive," said Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott. R-Miss. What Mr. Bush sees as pork barrel items, Lott said, "are good, deserved, justified projects."

"Almost every president opposes this type of bill," he said.

Democrats are sure to remind such Republicans of their rejection of Mr. Bush's budgetary concerns when debate turns to several spending bills he also vows to veto.

Democrats, frustrated by their inability to force Bush's hand on Iraq and other matters, clearly enjoyed their victory Thursday. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said the message to the White House was, "you can't keep rolling over us like this."

The bill among other things would authorize the construction of navigation improvements for the Upper Mississippi River, at an estimated federal cost of $1.9 billion, and an ecosystem restoration project for the Upper Mississippi costing $1.7 billion.

The Indian River Lagoon project in the Florida Everglades would be funded at about $700 million.

The bill calls for an independent peer review process of all Army Corps projects costing $45 million or more, a bid to cut down on wasteful spending.

[j-whitman]

One down, several to go

[terrapin78]

Has the Chimp pitched a tantrum fit yet?

I can''t wait to see how he handles the over-ride.

MORE TO COME!!!

[frankly6]

Bush so wanted that money to go to Iraq. It''s his favorite way to spend our money. The price tag for the Iraq boondoggle? 2 trillion and counting.

[ioweign]

Congress Overrides Bush Veto On Water Bill
First Veto Override During Bush Presidency Comes On $23B Water Resources Bill


So Bush won''t get $23 Billion from a Water Resources Bill to go to his favorite "Watering Hole" Iraq !

[tyjohn47]

ITS ABOUT F###ING TIME!!!

[condumism]

Every Republicon Congressman that has loyaly supported Bush will be branded out of office in relentless TV advertising with the middle name (GW BUSH). For example: Senator Mitch GW BUSH McConnell, - (R - KY). The fun has only just begun ConDumbs!

[xlib]

Would love to see the pork, excuse me, "benchmarks" in this bill. I also understand this is the first veto override in his presidency. Interesting.
In 1995 bubba was heard to say "levees are a local issue". I bring that up since the article had to mention bubba.
Did you all know his wife is running for president? Yep, she is. She''s sensitive though, have to be real careful asking her a question like "what''s your stand on giving illegal aliens drivers licenses?"

[clestes-2009]

Wow, a few billion to be spent on domestic needs rather than Iraq.

363 days to go to get rid of this chimp.

[kailumego1]

Can''t believe what I''m reading, finally Congress has some "BALLS".....

[smirk5]

I see Bush continues on with that mandate Cons argued he had in 2004.

[michellem99-2009]

Good..Sorry Mr.Bush..Charity begins here at home before it is given out of nation. We have needs here.

[pepperp1]

Lordy lordy, Repugs actually CAN do something for their own country not just their donors, oh well must be no bids in there somewhere I just cant believe they would vote for the People of this country or communities that are running dry since they didn''t bother since Bush came into office in 2000. Guess they were really scared about those photos of the communities and the poor who are now and will soon be without water. Oh just saw Inhofe MEGA FARMS, lol.

[adventurepa]

Posted by kailumego1
Can''t believe what I''''m reading, finally Congress has some "BALLS".....
Ditto!!!!!!!
About time you worthless pieces of slim.

[lochlan-2009]

"Mr. Bush vetoed no bills during his first five years in office. He has since vetoed a stem cell research bill twice, an Iraq spending bill that set guidelines for troop withdrawals, and a children''s health insurance bill. House and Senate Republicans managed to sustain those vetoes." - There it is in black and white. The reason the major bills the democrats tried to push through failed. BECAUSE OF THE REPUBLICANS... AGAIN.

[rosesnpearls]

Small, limited minds. Stop focusing on your hatred for politicians and look at what is good (or bad) for our country. Both sides have some ideas to look at but everyone is so busy being party loyal that they seem incapable of using their brain to look at the true details and make decisions based on information instead of hatred of politicians. Look at the issue, decide what is right and what is wrong and decide based on that - not who wrote the bill, vetoed the bill, supported the bill, hated the bill, etc.

[marcodele]

Stick a fork in Junior, he''s done.

It''s nice to see a few republicans actually thinking outside of the Bush box for a change.

[j-whitman]

rosesnpearls,,,,,, Focus should be placed on the bad politicians as well ---- Bush''s politics is what drives the anger

[alphaa10-2009]

It''s about time congressmen on both sides of the aisle got down to business-- the nation has more than enough to worry about from Bush failures of due diligence.

Meanwhile, Bush plays with incendiary rhetoric against Iran, hoping something catches fire so he can invade.

By now, it''s clear Bush doesn''t give a Scarlett O''Hara about the future of this country. He''s not spending his own money on his Iraq war and other fiascos, but ours. Nor will he risk the lives of his own family members, but ours...

Bush never has displayed much conscience-- and forget altogether about statesmanship from this wannabe president, the worst this country ever has had. The GOP should be ashamed...

[condumism]

Every Republicon Congressman that has loyaly supported Bush will be branded out of office in relentless TV advertising with the middle name (GW BUSH). For example: Senator James GW BUSH Inhofe (R - OK). The fun has only just begun ConDumbs!

[jack3213]

Rosesnpearls: Nice motto, good idea, but it isn''t so much that the public feels this way it as much as government playing amongst themselves. It is a pissin game, and just because Congress got one thing they wanted, they will go and beat it to death because to them it isn''t about right or wrong it is about win or lose. The blame is in the game not the facts, which I agree with you on. It is too much money, so lets see if it doees makes a differance down the line. If the Dems keep stressing they won this it is a clear sign they did it for the wrong reason.

[liberalme]

Wow Pelosi and her troupe must have had to perform Swan lake to get that through.

That must be what they''ve been working on all year--hope it doesn''t end here!!

[simonsez40]

This is a override for everyday citizens - I''m happy that people in need will get help from our own government. I''m somewhat elated that Bush is FINALLY being put in his place. Sadly I would have loved to see his stupid expression on his face when he knew it was coming.......I''ve never despised a man like I do G.W......

Again yeah for the people that need this legislation!

[nothappyatall]

LOL he gets b''tch slapped, looks like the reign of terror by king Georgie is about to grind to a halt.

[drivelphobe]

Let''s just throw in the towel. These democrats will spend every dime they can get their greedy hands on. This is criminal activity in my mind. Closed-door meetings, open borders, sanctuary cities, anchor babies, pork and more pork, deceitful legislation, and on and on.

Poor Bush and the American citizen''s wallet. This kind of pork-laden bill can''t keep happening. The people don''t count any more unless they are Hispanic illegals.

[tejasdemo]

Go to hell Bush !

[simonsez40]

Poor Bush and the American citizen''''s wallet. This kind of pork-laden bill can''''t keep happening. The people don''''t count any more unless they are Hispanic illegals.

Posted by drivelphobe

Awwwww poor Repug you in the low percentile that think this way - you''re done time to get out of office......go grab your gun and bible and head over to Iraq!

[nothappyatall]

"When the leader of the current administration has a 33% approval rating one has to conclude that many of the 67% who do not appove are republicans and consevatives.
"

Wrong, the 33% is his repubiCON and right wing base- the ones who live in the 14th century with their bibull.

[rmmm201]

Good Bad or indifferent,look at your paycheck if Clinto wins. i''ll bet ya it will be smaller.

[drivelphobe]

simonsez40...

No bible for me, but I''ll probably need my gun here to protect my home from filthy, conniving, thieving, entitlemnt seeking, non-English speaking illegals.

[simonsez40]

Good Bad or indifferent,look at your paycheck if Clinto wins. i''''ll bet ya it will be smaller.

Posted by rmmm201

It''s smaller now because Bush is in bed with oil companies......gas keeps going up and up......and our pockets get smaller and smaller......foreclosures up 150% because people can''t make ends-meet under George Bush!

[trailwalker2]

President Bush has been a real disappointment this final term. I would think he would want to be remembered for doing good in his final term instead of being so arrogant. Look at all the billions being spent in foreign countries when we desperately need to take care of things here at home.

[roger_inkart]

Good Bad or indifferent,look at your paycheck if Clinto wins. i''''ll bet ya it will be smaller.

Posted by rmmm201 at 01:52 PM : Nov 08, 2007

Under the Bush administration I paid MORE taxes then I ever had before. So what''s your point? Stop trying to scare people into voting for another lunatic like GW. People are begining to understand that if you want a good, solid, functioning nation SOMEONE has to pay for it.

[thelmaeby]

Lets get back to stem cell now! Great to see some of our elected many, remember why they were elected.

[simonsez40]

The House voted 361-54 to override the veto Tuesday..

I wonder who the 54 were that voted against this measure? They are either brave or terribly stupid -

[thelmaeby]

o. k. GOOD JOB now we need to get back to the Stem Cell VETO ..AND LETS ALL GET ON THE BANK WAGON AND REMEMBER WITH THE REST WHY WE HAVE ELECTED REPSENTIVES.

[liberalme]

r m m m--- you''re an idiot!!

If the next president doesn''t raise taxes, he''ll be a bumbling fool!

How the heck are we supposed to pay off what we owe to Saudi Arabia (Bushs'' other family) and China?

It''s YOUR president that created this mess, now, I guess it will be up to the Dems to clean it up huh?

[roger_inkart]

I wonder who the 54 were that voted against this measure? They are either brave or terribly stupid -

Posted by simonsez40 at 02:01 PM : Nov 08, 2007

I would think they''re career political hacks that Bush has wrapped around his little finger (perhaps holding incriminating evidence of Larry Craig like bathroom trysts over their heads)

[bfenerty]

It''s about time!!!!!!!

[mamabeya]

YOU TALK ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS SPENDING MONEY.
WHEN G. BUSHIT & CO. TOOK OFFICE OUR NATIONAL DEBT WAS A LITTLE OVER 4 TRILLION DOLLARS AND IN 7-YEARS HE HAS RUN UP OUR NATIONAL DEBT TO OVER 9 1/2 TRILLION
DOLLARS. OVER THIRTYFIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EVERY MAN,WOMEN & CHILD IN THE USA.
SO DON''T TELL ME ABOUT DEMOCRATS PISSING AWAY MONEY

[roger_inkart]

I think most American will appreciate their tax dollars being spent in THIS country and not being thrown down the bottomless pit of the Iraq War.

Just THINK how much more secure our nation would be if the hundreds of billions of dollars wasted in Iraq would have been spent building up the security and the infrastructure of the US.

[displeased]

"Let''''s just throw in the towel. These democrats will spend every dime they can get their greedy hands on."
Posted by drivelphobe

Hmmmm, Congress invests $23 billion in our own country''s infrastructure while Bush invests over $400 billion for a war in Iraq to benefit certain industries. I think I see who the greedy one is...

[roger_inkart]

This is the first override, hopefully it will be one in a long line showing GW that is not the king.

I''m sure he and his staff are trying desperately to figure out a way how executive priviledge can be used to reverse the bill''s passage!

[roger_inkart]

Hmmmm, Congress invests $23 billion in our own country''s infrastructure while Bush invests over $400 billion for a war in Iraq to benefit certain industries. I think I see who the greedy one is...

Posted by Displeased at 02:11 PM : Nov 08, 2007

No kidding! How much of a mindless Bush synchophant do you have to be to bash this bill as being fiscally irresponsible? Please...

[bogusbones]

The Repubs preach a balanced budget. What they don''t preach is the $9 trillion (that''s trillion) of debt this Administration has accrued. Reduce taxes, start a war, pander to the rich, destroy the environment. What our leaders have forgotten is who they serve. Not the people of the U.S. it looks like. Our President acts like a spoiled child instead of a sophisticated politician. He''s "had his way" for seven years and finally our spineless Congress stands up to him. The Bully Bush will find ways to punish those who have chosen not to agree with him. January 20, 2009 can''t come soon enough.

[logicanada]

maybe now that he''s been told ''no'' Bush will take his ball and go home.

[donbl1]

I read yesterday that this bill does not actually fund the money as it must come in an appropriations bill which requires new taxes to fund.... did not see it in this article but that is from yesterday.

The big fight will be in the appropriations bill.

[nolalou]

easeltine, most of those 7 years the Republicans were in charge, so don''t blame ''liberals'' for everything!
What a thing to veto on? The Army Corps of Engineers had been asking for years for money to repair , build , and upgrade flood protection along the gulf coast, and it was always denied! If there had been proper funding for building and inspecting levees in New Orleans, maybe the city wouldn''t have flooded!

Sorry, easeltine, but if you''re looking for moron, take a look in the nearest mirror!

[jack3213]

Oh, and by the way, speaking of money, those who think Bush is so *** bad simply must live in the dark ages, as they take much for granted in this country and have no idea what is going on in the REAL world and how others are suffering much worse than they are. You might think twice about bashing someone with whom has done mostly a good job and has saved your sorry a-- many a time. Try saying that with ( A Democrat) someone who is always reaching in your pocket for their selfish gains. TSk TSk.

[one_american]

I think you libs missed the most important point of this story.

Even though Congress made the override, the Army Corps of Engineers is unable to work on the projects that this bill supposedly provides for - many years to come.

In other words, it''s a waste of time AND money.

Now the Democrat will immediately whine that your taxes need to go up to cover the cost of these projects that will not be built for quite some time...

[pepperp1]

No, no new taxes, none, thats the problem too much money in the hands of elected Officials who just believe themselves to be Politicians, to much discretionary spending deny children heathl care but spend 3 Billion a day in Iraq. Instead I agree with Senator Clinton restore fiscal responsibility to the Congress, cut taxes back to the core and unfortunately that includes the deferred tax increase of the Deficits dont count crowd, did not see and Boston Tea Party type revolt by our countrymen to stop the Bush crown from spending like drunks, so guess what it is yours and yours debt not the Dems.

You take out the doubling of discretionary dollars by the Republican Congress and send that back to required spending side of the ledger and include in that column the paying down of their huge deficit and that should be the start. We cannot afford as hard working Americans to pay for every Representative and Senators Pet Goat. Until the deficit is under control and our National Security restored discretionary spending by Congress should be ZERO. And close the 15 percent supposed tax loop hole for the equity Barons, and get rid of the Corporate Welfare, people are paying the bulk of taxes in this country most Corporations are off shore and are paying less than 3 percent of GDP.

I am not willing to give these folks another dime of my hard earned money.