Barbara Boxer: “I want to say while colleagues from both sides of the aisle are here how important this moment is. It is very unusual…”

“I want to say while colleagues from both sides of the aisle are here how important this moment is. It is very unusual for a Congress to override a Presidential veto. This is only the 107th time it has been done in the history of the country. The first one was in the 1840s. President Tyler tried to buy some military equipment without getting the approval of Congress and that started the first successful override. Today I think we sent a message, as Republicans and Democrats, to the executive branch. Mr. President, why should we have to fight over everything? We shouldn't have to argue over making sure our infrastructure is strong. I say to Senator Inhofe, whom I don't see on the floor at the moment, but to his staff: Thank you so much for working with our staff. This has been quite an experience. As most of you know, Senator Inhofe and I don't exactly see eye to eye on everything, but on this, we were very much a team. I thank the majority leader, Senator Reid, for his strong support in working with us. I know it was a little annoying when he saw me coming down the hall every time. He sort of ducked, because he knew I was saying: When are we going to do WRDA?”