Vernon Ehlers: “I happen to be a staunch environmentalist. I opposed this bill in some earlier versions. In fact, Members may recall…”

“I happen to be a staunch environmentalist. I opposed this bill in some earlier versions. In fact, Members may recall that this is the third try which finally managed to get past the House. I voted against it the first two times because I was concerned about environmental issues. But I am satisfied that this bill in its present form is the best bill we are going to get out of the House. I believe that the environmentalist concerns are largely satisfied. In regard to the National Endowment for the Humanities, I was also one of those who worked to maintain funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities. In fact, we managed to get it increased considerably over some of the earlier proposals. Once again, I believe this is the best bill that we can get from this House as it relates to funding for that organization. I read the veto message from the President, and to me it seems like a rather thin veto message. I suspect if this bill had hit his desk by itself and not in the company of the other two bills he vetoed the same day, this bill would have been signed and passed into law because the objections are not that strong. I believe it is very important that we vote to override the President's veto on this bill.”