LANSING – State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) today urged the U.S. Senate to override President Bush's veto of legislation authorizing critical Great Lakes projects, saying federal investment is needed to protect thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in income and economic development in Michigan and preserve our standing as the Great Lakes State.
"Failure to approve the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act leaves our Great Lakes defenseless against some very serious economic and environmental problems that threaten to devastate Michigan's economy," Brown said. "Vital Michigan projects likely won't survive the president's veto of this legislation – including dredging so that our harbors can operate and fighting the Asian carp invasion so that our fishing, boating and tourism industries are not destroyed. Other projects fight the threat of widespread flooding and pollution. Approving this plan is in the best economic interests of Michigan, our region and our country."
Brown's resolution urging Congress to override the presidential veto of the Water Resources Development Act was approved unanimously today by the state House Great Lakes and Environment Committee. The full House is scheduled to take up the resolution this afternoon. The federal act 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.
"Protecting the Great Lakes and investing in their future must be a top priority as we work to turn Michigan's economy around," Brown said. "Lawmakers from across the country and both sides of the aisle support this plan as a framework to fight threats against our country's greatest natural resource – the Great Lakes. I urge the Senate to follow their colleagues in the U.S. House and vote to override the veto of this absolutely necessary plan."