Environment | Politics

Congress overrides Bush veto on water resources bill

Friday, November 9, 2007

The Senate voted 79-14 on Thursday to override President Bush's veto of a $23.2 billion water resources bill.

The vote followed the House's override of the bill on Tuesday. It marks the first time Congress has overridden Bush, who has used his veto pen sparingly but who has ratcheted up his threats under the Democratic-controlled Congress.

The bill contains a number of popular water projects across the nation. It also contains some tribal-specific provisions, including upgrades for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, both of South Dakota. It preserves the Quapaw Tribe's lawsuit over Tar Creek Superfund site in Oklahoma and authorizes $30 million for relocation of residents at Tar Creek.

Get the Story:
A Bush Veto Is Overridden for the 1st Time (The Washington Post 11/9)
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Congress Turns Back Bush’s Veto in a Test of Power (The New York Times 11/9)
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Johnson: Several water projects to go forward (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 11/9)
Water bill override saves $30M for Tar Creek projects (AP 11/9)
Oklahoma projects from water resource development act (KJRH 11/8)

Get the Bill:
Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (H.R.1495)

Roll Call:
Senate: On Overriding the Veto (Shall H.R. 1495 Pass, the Objections of the President of the United States to the Contrary Notwithstanding?) (November 8, 2007) | House : Passage, Objections of the President Not Withstanding (November 6, 2007)