Mack: President Wrong to Veto Water Resources Development Act

Press Release

Mack: President Wrong to Veto Water Resources Development Act

WASHINGTON - Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today criticized President Bush's veto of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). WRDA authorizes funding for water infrastructure projects across the country, including several in Southwest Florida and the Everglades. President Bush's action means the House and Senate will now have to vote to override the veto.

When WRDA passed both the House and the Senate this year, it was the first time in seven years that Congress has succeeded in adopting this vital bill.

Mack, who has been fighting for passage of this critical legislation since he came to Congress, said:

"I'm extremely disappointed that President Bush decided to veto this critical legislation instead of working with Congress to enact meaningful legislation that will protect our environment.

"This legislation is vital to improving the health of the Everglades, protecting our beaches from further erosion, and improving water quality in Southwest Florida and beyond. Our failure to enact a water resources bill in the last seven years has created a significant backlog of infrastructure projects across the country.

"The investment we make in our environment and water resources today will leave a cleaner, healthier environment in the future for our children and grandchildren. That investment starts with implementing the Water Resources Development Act. I'm confident that both the House and Senate can override his veto, and I hope we do so without delay."

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