Boustany Urges Veto Override for Water Resources Development Act

Boustany Urges Veto Override for Water Resources Development Act

Washington, D.C. -U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-Lafayette), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today urged his Congressional colleagues to override President Bush's veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007, H.R. 1495.

"The President's veto today is an unfortunate setback for WRDA, but I will fight to override his veto to enact this critical piece of legislation for Southwest Louisiana," said Boustany. "As we continue to rebuild, a strategic blueprint is needed, and WRDA provides just that. I will not let WRDA fail."

WRDA contains more than $1.9 billion for the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA), including the Chenier Plain, making it the largest coastal restoration project in American history.

Boustany fought to include the Southwest Louisiana Hurricane and Flood Protection Study as a national funding priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The measure authorizes the Corps to expedite the current study, and if the projects are feasible, the Corps is directed to expedite their implementation. This provision ensures Southwest Louisiana is a priority for the Corps.

The measure passed Congress with a veto-proof margin in September, and Congressional leaders have promised to bring WRDA up for a vote next week.

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