[StBernard] Governor Blanco issues statement on White House threat to veto WRDA bill

[Westley Annis]

Governor Blanco issues statement on White House threat to veto WRDA bill

BATON ROUGE - Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco issued the following statement today after President Bush threatened to veto the Water Resources Development Act, HR 1495. The US House and Senate passed separate versions of the bill earlier this year, and just this week a conference committee worked out a compromise. 

Statement by Governor Blanco:

"I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment expressed by Senator David Vitter regarding this veto threat. Louisiana has waited seven years for these projects critical to our fight to restore and protect Louisiana's coast. The WRDA bill secures billions of dollars in authorization for critical coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects, like Morganza to the Gulf hurricane protection and the Louisiana Coastal Area.

"With many coastal residents still rebuilding after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - still vulnerable to future storms, I fail to understand how President Bush can choose to abandon their protection. I urge our Louisiana Delegation to stand together and fight for Louisiana's future. Mr. President, our people are still suffering, and this WRDA bill shows them there is hope for the future. I ask you, do not dash their hopes."

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org