Louisiana Recovery Authority Board Member Responds to Bush Veto of Water Resources Act

By Anonymous

Louisiana Recovery Authority board member Chet Morrison issued the following statement in response to President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, which includes more than $3.7 billion in specific hurricane recovery projects for Louisiana and up to $7 billion in total projects that will benefit the state according to recent estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.

“WRDA is undoubtedly one of the single most significant pieces of legislation passed by Congress to restore Louisiana’s hurricane and flood protection infrastructure in the aftermath of Katrina and Rita.

“In 2005, President Bush delivered a historic speech from Jackson Square and declared that the Administration would ‘do what it takes’ to rebuild our devastated region. This August, when he visited us for the second anniversary, President Bush acknowledged again how important safety and flood protection are to our recovery, saying, ‘We fully understand that New Orleans [and South Louisiana] can’t be rebuilt until there’s confidence in the levees.’

“When the administration had an opportunity to back up rhetoric with substantive action to enhance hurricane protection for our communities, it did not deliver. By vetoing WRDA, President Bush has denied the authorization of critical funds to establish the Louisiana’s Coastal Area Ecosystem Restoration project, expedite closure of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, establish the Morganza to the Gulf hurricane protection system and other projects that will enhance our wetlands and protect our coastal communities.

“We thank leaders in the House and Senate, especially members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation, for recognizing the monumental significance of this legislation to Louisiana’s long term recovery. Because of their leadership, this bill was passed with bi- partisan support from Republicans and Democrats with enough votes to override a veto. We all hoped it would not be necessary — but it is — so we urge Congress to take immediate action and override President Bush’s veto of this bill.”

The WRDA bill was passed by the US House of Representatives by a vote of 381-40 and approved by the US Senate by a vote of 81-12.

Credit: CityBusiness Staff Report

(Copyright 2007 Dolan Media Newswires)

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