James Oberstar: “the President's veto of the Water Resources Development Act was pointless and unnecessary. This legislation, which…”

“the President's veto of the Water Resources Development Act was pointless and unnecessary. This legislation, which authorizes project authorizations, modifications, and studies for the breadth of authorities for the United States Army Corps of Engineers and for the entirety of the United States, represents a culmination of seven years of bipartisan, bicameral consensus to invest in our nation's future. The Water Resources Development Act is vital for our nation's economic growth. It is essential to maintaining the nation's competitiveness in the international marketplace. It is necessary for the lives of our families, our neighbors, and our nation through the authorization of flood control structures, and hurricane and storm damage reduction projects throughout the country-- but most notably for those living in the Gulf Coast region. It is necessary for crucial navigation projects and studies, including the modernization of a portion of the largest inland waterway system in the United States--the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway System. It is prudent for sustaining economic growth in our nation's industries--such as the revitalized iron ore and steel industries of the Great Lakes. Finally, it is critical for the long-term, environmental health of the nation's ecosystems, including fulfilling our commitment to restore the Florida Everglades.”