Pelosi says veto override reaffirms Congress' commitment to protect Americans from natural disasters

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2007 -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the House voting overwhelmingly to override President Bush's veto of H.R. 1495, the 2007 Water Resources Development Act. The final vote was 361 to 54:

"Congress overwhelmingly overturned President Bush's ill-advised veto of the Water Resources Development Act and reaffirmed our commitment to protect Americans from natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes. This long overdue legislation will allow for critical investments to protect communities from flooding by building and repairing floodwalls and levees, as well as restoring wetlands that absorb floodwaters.

"Much of our nation's infrastructure is outdated and in some cases crumbling, placing lives, property, and commerce at risk. The President argues that $23 billion over 15 years is too much to spend on Hurricane Katrina recovery, flood control, navigation, hurricane protection, and environmental restoration across the country. Yet we are spending almost as much on the disastrous war in Iraq every two months.

"The New Direction Congress will not put our nation at continued risk so the President can mount a disingenuous bid to appear fiscally responsible. This Congress pays for the priorities of the American people. This President has not."

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