Senators Lautenberg, Menendez Vote To Override President Bush's Veto On Critical Water Bill

Senators Say Measure Includes More Than $480 Million For State Projects Essential For NJ's Safety, Environment

November 8, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today voted to override President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The measure would authorize more than $480 million in federal funds for Army Corps of Engineers projects in New Jersey.

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“This bill will improve public safety, restore our coastline, clean our waterways and help protect New Jersey communities from flooding,” said Sen. Lautenberg who, as a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, helped author the bill and ushered it through the Senate and in Conference with the House. “President Bush should never have vetoed this bill. While the President is spending $3 billion every week in Iraq, he remains unwilling to spend the money for critical needs here at home. It’s time to invest in America’s priorities here at home.”

"President Bush never had a problem spending our money to build a lavish swimming pool for our Baghdad embassy, but he vehemently opposed funding to prevent New Jersey homes from getting flooded,” said Menendez. “Those aren’t our state’s priorities. This victory in overriding the president’s veto will help improve our public safety, clean our waterways, help protect New Jersey communities from flooding and restore our coastline, especially in the midst of recent beach erosions caused by Hurricane Noel along our Jersey shore.”

Source: Senator Frank R. Lautenberg