Despite Veto Threat, Senate Approves $23-Billion WRDA

摘要

The Senate's passage of legislation authorizing $23 billion for hundreds of Corps of Engineers water projects moves the Water Resources Development Act to the White House, where administration officials have already said that President Bush will veto it, contending the measure is too costly. But the bill's congressional supporters, including Republicans, are urging Bush to sign it. Sen. James Inhofe (Okla.), the top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, says the Senate's strong 81-12 vote on Sept. 24 "sends a clear message to the President: don't veto this critically important infrastructure bill." If the legislation is enacted, it would be the first WRDA to become law since December 2000.