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For Immediate Release |
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Contact: Murat Gokcigdem |
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Phone: (202) 225-8885 |
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November 6, 2007 |
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CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON TO MANAGE HISTORIC VETO OVERRIDE PROCEEDINGS ON WATER RESOURCES BILL
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Proceedings Expected to Mark First Successful Veto Override of Bush Presidency |
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Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chairwoman of the Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee will manage veto override proceedings on the Conference Report to H.R. 1495, The Water Resources Development Act of 2007. The measure authorizes approximately $23 billion for about 900 water resource project and studies nationwide. President Bush vetoed the bill last Friday citing the measure as fiscally irresponsible.
"I deeply regret that President Bush has once again turned his back on addressing our nation's crumbling infrastructure. With his veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), President Bush has sent a clear message to the American people that vital domestic programs are simply not a priority,” stated Congresswoman Johnson.
The veto power vested in the President by Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution has proven to be an effective tool for the chief executive in his dealings with Congress. Since the founding of the federal government in 1789, 36 of 43 Presidents have exercised their veto authority a total of 2,554 times. Congress has overridden these vetoes only 106 times—a meager success rate of only 4.2%.
“Despite the overwhelming bipartisan support this important legislation enjoys, the Bush Administration has, once again, failed to meaningfully engage the Congress on a measure so desperately needed by communities all across this country. A WRDA bill has not been enacted the entire term of the current Administration, and there should be no surprise that this bill contains a substantial number of provisions. I look forward to working with my colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, today in overriding this ill-advised veto."
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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.
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