Timothy H. Bishop: “Mr. Speaker, a congressional override of this Presidential veto is absolutely imperative to ensure the safety and…”

“Mr. Speaker, a congressional override of this Presidential veto is absolutely imperative to ensure the safety and viability of our Nation's water infrastructure. For the President to veto this legislation under the guise of fiscal responsibility is hypocritical at best. The tab for the President's endless war in Iraq is now in excess of $600 billion and counting. Just the interest on the amount we have borrowed to fund the war is $25 billion per year, an amount that exceeds the authorized level of this legislation. This veto is a stark reminder that the hundreds of billions of dollars spent on the war in Iraq has been at the expense of pressing priorities here at home. In the 5 years since the war began, over $45 billion has been spent on restoring the infrastructure in Iraq. This is double the $23 billion price tag a bipartisan majority of Congress seeks now to address a 7-year backlog of much-needed projects. When it comes to domestic priorities, the President has decided against investing in America.”