A Bush first: Congress overrides veto

WASHINGTON — Congress delivered its first override of a veto by President Bush on Thursday, giving final approval to a $23 billion bill that authorizes water projects eagerly sought by lawmakers from both parties.

The Senate voted to override the veto, 79-14, with a majority of Republicans and Democrats rejecting Bush's assertion that the bill was fiscally irresponsible. Washington's senators, both Democrats, voted to override the veto. The House voted to override the veto earlier this week.

"I have complete respect for the president of the United States, and I don't like to vote against him, but he's just wrong to veto this bill," said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.

The veto override was followed Thursday night by final passage of a $151 billion health, education and labor spending bill. House and Senate negotiators also reached agreement on a transportation and housing bill that increases spending on highway repair in the wake of the Minneapolis bridge collapse and boosts foreclosure assistance in the midst of a housing crisis.

Congress also approved a big boost in the Pentagon's nonwar budget for President Bush's signature. The $471 billion budget — awarding the Pentagon with a 9 percent, $40 billion budget increase — passed the House by a 400-15 vote.

The Senate cleared the bill for Bush by a voice vote late Thursday.

In short, the long-awaited battle between Congress and Bush over federal spending and the size and reach of government is on. "I hope that the Congress feels good about what we've done," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "I believe in the institution of the legislative branch of government. I think it should exist, and for seven years this man has ignored us."

The Senate late Thursday moved toward final congressional approval of a $459.3 billion defense-funding bill that would increase military spending by $35.7 billion over the previous fiscal year. The president has said he will sign that legislation. But he has vowed to veto the newly approved domestic-spending bill, which includes $10 billion more than he requested for community-health centers, higher-education grants, education aid, job training and low-income heating assistance.

The domestic-spending bill passed 274 to 141. In the Washington delegation, Republican Dave Reichert joined all Democrats in voting for the legislation; Republicans Doc Hastings and Cathy McMorris Rodgers voted against it.

The Water Resources Development Act authorizes about 900 projects, including millions of dollars to protect the Gulf Coast from storms. The bill would cost $11.2 billion over the next four years, and $12 billion in the 10 years after that, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

But the law merely authorizes such projects. Lawmakers backing the projects must now secure funding through House and Senate appropriations committees.