LANSING – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today applauded the U.S. Senate for doing the right thing and overriding President Bush's veto of legislation authorizing critical Great Lakes projects. The Senate override on Thursday came one day after the Michigan House of Representatives passed a resolution urging Congress to override the presidential veto of the Water Resources Development Act.
"Michigan needs federal investment to protect thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic development and income in our state," Ebli said. "Manufacturing, tourism and agriculture are our state's three largest industries –– and these industries are affected by what happens to our Great Lakes."
The federal act that President Bush vetoed does not expend any taxpayer money – rather, it authorizes projects that improve and protect the Great Lakes as well as bodies of water across the country. Funding would have to be allocated separately. The U.S. House voted Tuesday to override the president's veto and the Senate voted Thursday to override the veto.
"The Michigan House's fight for this federal investment was a fight about protecting jobs for our citizens," Ebli said. "The U.S. Senate should be applauded for listening to the American people and handing President Bush an override on this important economic issue."