by Mark Silva
President Bush, long criticized by conservatives for not blocking excessive spending, issued his first veto of a spending bill today on grounds of objection to the level of spending in it.
He may also be looking at his first veto override.
Bush had vetoed a war-spending bill earlier this year for its inclusion of timelines for troop withdrawals for Iraq, and he has vetoed a children's health insurance bill over his objections to its inclusion of middle-class children in government-financed health care.
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This veto involves a $23-billion water projects bill which the president calls excessive -- representing his first salvo in a threat of budget vetoes this fall if Congress does not hold its spending within line. However, with leaders in some quarters complaining that essential work is tied up in this bill -- such as Everglades conservationists -- Senate Majoirty Leader Harry Reid, calling the president "out of touch with the American people and their priorities,'' suggests that an override is possible with this veto.
Bush had criticized congressional negotiators for starting at different levels of $14 billion and $15 billion in this bill and bargaining their way up to $23 billion. "Inn a time when fiscal restraint is much needed, the additional spending authorized in this bill, such as provisions for local wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects, is unacceptable," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said today.
"When we override this irresponsible veto, perhaps the president will finally recognize that Congress is an equal branch of government and reconsider his many other reckless veto threats," Reid said in a statement issued by his office.
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In two terms, Bush has vetoed only five bills: Two financing embryonic stem cell research, the war bill, the State Children's Health Insurance Program bill and now the water bill. He has never been overridden. Environmentalists say the first override may be coming.
The White House Office of Management and Budget maintains that the water bill authorizes more than 100 wastewater and drinking water projects, all beyond the central mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, diverting millions of dollars from flood and storm projects. It also "fails to ensure that projects yield high economic and environmental returns," OMB says.
But environmentalists say the veto imperils important work.
"Today's veto proves again President Bush can find billions to rebuild Iraq but not to rebuild America,'' Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said. "Passage of the Water Resources Development Act was years overdue and this veto means yet another delay for important projects in Illinois -- locks and dams on the Mississippi River, flood control projects in Rockford and invasive species control in the Great Lakes river basin, to name a few.''
The bill includes congressional authorization for locks and dam modernization on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and authorizes specific projects for navigation, ecosystem restoration, and flood and storm damage reduction, Durbin's office notes. A significant provision in the bill increases lock and dam capacity and improves the ecosystem of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Congress generally authorizes Army Corps projects in WRDA bills every two years, but Congress has not enacted WRDA legislation since 2000.
mmmFlooding last year in the City of Rockford has raised concerns over Keith Creek and Alpine Dam, the senator's office notes. "At least 350 homes and 50 businesses are located in the heavily developed floodplain in Rockford. The lower portion of Keith Creek does not have adequate capacity to contain flood flows and is downstream of Alpine Dam, a flood control dam constructed in 1942 by the City of Rockford.
"Alpine Dam’s spillway is 61 years old and is in poor condition,'' the office adds. "The dam does not meet current Federal design standards, and does not have adequate capacity to safely pass the Probable Maximum Flood. In addition, the dam does not provide adequate floor protection for heavily developed areas downstream.''
In rejecting the Water Resources Development Act, the president is holding up more than $2 billion for Everglades restoration projects in Florida, according to environmentalists.
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"We are disappointed with the president's decision not to authorize these restoration projects," said Mark Kraus, Ehief Operating Officer of the Everglades Foundation. "Now, more than ever, America's Everglades needs our federal government's support."
Since the water act should be passed every two years, they say, the cost of restoration projects have been absorbed due to a significant increase in land and construction costs.
Conservation groups are anticipating votes in both the House and Senate to override the veto.
"The price tag of this bill is reflective of seven years without any authorization for Everglades restoration, and will provide real benefits for this ecosystem," said Mark Perry, Co-chair of the Everglades Coalition.
The bill includes $1.36 billion for the cleanup of the Indian River Lagoon, $375 million for the restoration of Picayune Strand, and over $80 million for an impoundment that will protect water quality and improve water flows into the Everglades.
"The president's veto jeopardizes the reauthorization of key Everglades projects with the potential to restore more than 150,000 acres of wetlands and estuarine habitat," said David Anderson, executive director, Audubon of Florida. "Here's hoping Congress understands just how many birds, critters and people will suffer if the federal government doesn't make good on its promise to restore some measure of health to the Everglades."
Reid had this to say today: "“Every day brings new evidence that President Bush is out of touch with the American people, and their priorities.
"Although 81 Senators voted to strengthen our environment and economy and protect our natural resources through the Water Resources Development Act, President Bush has again said no to these critical priorities. He has said no to providing authority for essential new navigation projects, no to programs to combat flood and coastal-storm damage and no to programs to restore ecosystems.
" And more than two years after failing to respond to the devastation and destruction of Hurricane Katrina, he is refusing to fund important projects guided by the Army Corps of Engineers that are essential to protecting the people of the Gulf Coast region. When we override this irresponsible veto, perhaps the President will finally recognize that Congress is an equal branch of government and reconsider his many other reckless veto threats.”
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Comments
Sorry folks! No water for you! Maybe people in Georgia should call their congressmen. They are the one without water lately. Luckily we are next to Lake Michigan.
Posted by: Lou | November 2, 2007 2:06 PM
Come on, we all know "Clean drinking water" is just a code name for the commie plot to contaminate our Precious Bodily Fluids. Have you ever seen a commie drink a glass of water? There's a reason for that. Me, I just drink distilled water, rain water or pure grain alcohol.
I support our President and his campaign to insure our purity of essence is maintained and to fight this most monstrously conceived and dangerous communist plot we have ever faced.
General Jack. D. Ripper, USAF (Ret.)
Posted by: Jack D. Ripper | November 2, 2007 2:17 PM
Lou:
It doesn't matter - my congressman and Senators are so in lock step with Georgie, they would rather see Georgia dry up than go against their leader.
And to think at one time we had Max Cleland as one of our Senator - the good old days.
Posted by: BobinATL | November 2, 2007 2:25 PM
"Bush Vetoes Water Bill, Reid Calls Him 'Out Of Touch'"
From 2000 - 2004 President 24% with a Republican Congress did not veto one single spending bill and during this time the Republican Congress nearly doubled our National debt and borrowed billions upon billions from China for their war of choice in Iraq....."Conservatives" my arse.
There are two reasons most Democrats are angry at this Congress:
1) They want W.'s civil war in Iraq to end
2)They want Impeachment hearing for Cheney and Vice President Bush to start right now.
...until these things happen this Congress will continue to have low numbers.
Posted by: John E | November 2, 2007 2:25 PM
Bush is a coward.
What has he ever done to improve the health of it's citizens.
Posted by: gus | November 2, 2007 2:32 PM
I can't wait to see the days upon days of media coverage of all the excessive Republican spending this president didn't veto.
Posted by: Paul | November 2, 2007 2:34 PM
This bill is largely pork. If the Everglades needs things done, then let's have a bill that directly impacts the needs of the Everglades rather than a bill that includes unnessary and unneedec spending proposals.
By the way, Gen. Jack Ripper, er John E., stop pretending you're military when the cloest you've ever been is getting your butt whupped by your neighbor's GI Joe collection.
Posted by: John D | November 2, 2007 2:52 PM
General Ripper,
You're gonna have to answer to the Coca-Cola Company (or John D, who -- surprise -- didn't get the joke).
Water? We don't need no stinkin' water!!!
Don't worry John D, you can sort it all out at Blockbuster this weekend.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | November 2, 2007 2:59 PM
It's extortion plain and simple. King George is going to stand in the way of EVERYTHING until somebody gives him the $190 Billion he wants for HIS war.
Posted by: Carl L | November 2, 2007 3:09 PM
John:
The entire cost of this bill is probably less than the amount of pork in Georgie's war bills.
After all, Cheney has to take care of Halliburton, doesn't he??
Posted by: BobinATL | November 2, 2007 3:33 PM
John D -
This bill is not largely pork. I work for a trade magazine that covers water and wastewater and you have no idea how bad this nation's water infrastructure is right now and how the industry needs a lot more money to fix it.
It's not until bridges collapse and other tragic events happen that we wake up and realize we need to better fund infrastructure. Well, we had our wake up call, and this president still wants to take no further preventative action.
He's way out of touch.
Posted by: C.P. | November 2, 2007 3:36 PM
Would love to know the amount that has been spent on Iraq's water infrastructure? Including 27 million to shore up the poorly built Mosul Dam.
Posted by: DD | November 2, 2007 4:05 PM
"In a time when fiscal restraint is much needed, the additional spending authorized i....." says resident bush.
Well if he wants fiscal restraint so badly, end the illegal occupation of Iraq. That'll free up tons of money.
Posted by: rncbs | November 2, 2007 4:20 PM
CP, what water and wastewater treatment trade pub you work for? A Scranton-Gillette pub?
Anyway, if these are local infrastructure projects, how about if the states and counties take them up rather than waste billions of taxpayer money each and every year. Heck, in Crooked County alone they are proposing nearly $2 BILLION in tax increases. Surely, there is money there to fix any problems.
Posted by: John D | November 2, 2007 4:50 PM
Lil' Johnny,
Congratulations, Dyslin! You win the inaugural Gen. "Buck" Turgidson "mineshaft-gap" award, as the only person on the planet that doesn't know Dr. S. is lampooning frightening people like yourself (and those of "your ilk").
General "Buck" Turgidson: Uh, we're, still trying to figure out the meaning of that last phrase, sir.
P.S. Poplar Creek Public Library wants its copy of "Jesus Camp" back.
C.P.,
Re:Infrastructure.
That's the name of the game now. Cut taxes for the wealthy, underfund social programs and infrustructure. Then when someone has to come in and raise taxes to fix it (democrats) call them irresponsible, big spendors.
The sad thing is, like environmental clean-up, and almost everything else, it's cheaper to prevent and/or maintain than to absorb the much bigger cost of neglect later.
Posted by: dt | November 2, 2007 4:51 PM
Bush is truly a "Uniter" who is "reaching across the aisle"...
Soon everyone will think he is an idiot.
Vetoing a bill that 81 senators (REPUBLICAN and democrat) support.
I have to agree with Harry Reid (something I don't do often). this guy is completely out of touch.
Posted by: Carl L | November 2, 2007 4:55 PM
Would love to know the amount that has been spent on Iraq's water infrastructure? Including 27 million to shore up the poorly built Mosul Dam.
Posted by: DD | November 2, 2007 4:05 PM
1.963 Billion dollars since 2003 in assistance to the Iraqi water system alone. Over 20 Billion has been committed to all Iraqi infrastructure rebuilding by the US in th same period.
See Page 17 of the attached report.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL31833.pdf
For the water projects that is roughly $71.50 per Iraqi citizen spent over 4 years and $76.65 per US citizen spent over 14 years.
Posted by: AJF | November 2, 2007 5:11 PM
"BUSH SPEAKS, CHENEY HANDS DOWN YET ANOTHER VETO"
PIMPIN AINT EASY BUT SOMEONE HAS TO DO IT GEORGE!
DICK CHENEY KNOWS HE WILL NOT SURVIVE THE LAST DAYS OF HIS DARKEN DOORS OF THE WHITE HOUSE. HIS QUAGMIRE IS CATCHING UP TO HIM, SO HE HAS TO EXTEND AN AUGMENTATED VERSION OF HIS EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO AVOID IMPEACHMENT, CENSORSHIP, OR IMPRISONMENT.
GEORGE BUSH OBVIOUSLY CANNOT THINK, HE DOESN'T SPEAK FROM HIS HEART, HE SPEAKS FROM THE PEN OF THE 9/11 SPEECHWRITER. 7AM, 8AM, 9AM, WHAT TIME WAS THAT WRITTEN.
TODAY'S SPEECH IS JUST TO CONTINUE TO THROW OFF AMERICA. IF WE DON'T BEND, GEORGE BUSH WILL BE CHICKEN GEORGE OF THE NEW AMERICAN ROOTS.
HIS LEGACY WILL SPEAK FOR ITSELF. NO ONE WILL EVER UTTER HIS NAME AS ONLY THE DEVIL HIMSELF HEARS THE VOICES GEORGE BUSH DOES.
AND HE DOESN'T LIKE BLACK PEOPLE, WHITE PEOPLE, MEXICAN PEOPLE, ALL PEOPLE.
THERE IS NO ROOM FOR LOVE WHEN YOU ARE JUST HATEFULL!
IMPEACH THIS SO CALLED MAN BEFORE WE BECOME THE BEAST HE IS!
Posted by: Roger Morris | November 2, 2007 5:27 PM
Man, the Demos loaded more pork into that bill than a Saturday night luau. And then they have the gall to talk about the president being a big spender. Any more of this and the Democrats in Congress will be growing curly tails and pointy ears.
Posted by: Joshua | November 2, 2007 7:56 PM
Posted by: AJF | November 2, 2007 5:11 PM
Thanks for the excellent researched info, depressing as it is (when considering it was mostly for naught). And Joshua, don't those numbers fit into your "Saturday night luau "? Seems it's the Republicans that have the laulau dribbling down their chins.
Posted by: DD | November 3, 2007 12:17 AM
Tax and spend liberal Democrats have their pants in a wad as usual over the environment. If you know a politican who says he is endorsed by the Sierra Club grab your wallet and run like heck.
These predatory environmental groups like Sierra Club, Earth First, and Greenspace are trying to stop capitalism and business from making money.
They use words like stewardship and social justice to hide their socialist/communist agenda.
Thanks W for stopping the bleeding in our budget by out of control Jackasses hugging trees and talking to animals spotted owls etc.
There is nothing wrong with my SUV. God created oil keep using it these environmental wackos don't have a clue about America the greatest nation on earth. The Democrats keep dumbing us down and becoming bottom feeders instead of searching for
excellence.
As George Washington said the only fear I have is the enemy from within.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union the communists and socialists went into the green movement. It has become a catchall for rent a mob groups across America.
Al Gore is hyping for more government control and taxes. The Dems have been pushing the mother of all tax increases from Nancy Pelosi $1.3 trillion. It includes all this green promotion to make goverment bigger. Bring back the Gipper or someone like him in 08. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | November 3, 2007 11:03 AM
Jerry, do you still believe in duck and cover?
Posted by: ryan moore | November 5, 2007 7:31 AM