First Veto Override Could be for Environment

President Bush on Friday vetoed a popular bill authorizing $23 billion in new water-related projects, including wetlands restoration along the Gulf Coast and efforts to restore and protect the Florida Everglades.

That sets the stage for what is anticipated to be the first veto override of a Bush veto. Congress -- unlike with vote on the Iraq war or children's health insurance -- has enough bipartisan support for the water projects bill that it could reverse the Bush decision.

Bush has criticized the bill as irresponsible, though Congress authorizing money is only the first step. The money isn't spent until Congress appropriates it -- and there is no shortage of environmental initiatives that have had strong Congressional support at the authorization stage that never got fully funded in the appropriations stage.

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