MN CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES SUPPORT VETO OVERRIDE

Congress voted to override President Bush's veto of the $23-Billion water project bill Wedneday. Both Minnesota Senators Coleman and Klobuchar and 7 of 8 Minnesota Representatives voted to override. President Bush said the bill was too expensive and included too many earmarked projects. Coleman and Walz said the bill includes $82-Million dollars worth of Minnesota projects like flood control in Roseau, a radium filtration plant in Goodview, a wastewater treatment plant in Willmar, and a harbor navigation project in Duluth. The original House and Senate bills had a price tag of $14- and $15-Billion dollars respectively. The conference committee added another $8-Billion dollars worth of earmarked projects like $63-Million for 'beach nourishment' for Sarasota, Florida's Lido Key Beach. Congressman Jim Oberstar did not vote. The 73-year old representative had neck surgery last week.