Ports Push for Override of Water Projects Veto

As expected, President Bush vetoed the 2007 Water Resources Development Act (HR 1495), which would authorize critically needed legislation to advance water resources projects throughout the United States, including those that would improve navigation, repair hurricane damage, restore wetlands and prevent flooding. In response, America's seaports and related port industries-which are challenged with handling unprecedented cargo volume growth and demands from increasingly larger ships will mount an effort to convince Congress to lock-in the first veto override of the Bush Administration and address the seven-year backlog of water infrastructure projects and policy changes needed to keep marine highways and trade gateways open and running. AAPA is urging its 86 member ports in the U.S. to act quickly and decisively to ensure members of Congress understand the importance of voting to override the President's WRDA bill veto. The bill received overwhelming support from both houses of Congress prior to its trip to the President's desk, receiving votes of 91-4 in the Senate and 394-25 in the House.