AP: House OKs $1.7 Billion Clean-Water Bill

[Eugene]

House OKs $1.7 Billion Clean-Water Bill

By JIM ABRAMS
The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 7, 2007; 5:31 PM

WASHINGTON -- The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly endorsed federal
help for communities faced with deteriorating sewage systems, ignoring
White House warnings that the cost was too high.

The legislation, approved 367-58, would spend $1.7 billion over five years
in federal grants to states and municipalities to modernize wastewater
systems and control sewage overflows that pollute rivers and streams and
pose health risks. Those voting against the bill, which now moves to the
Senate, were all Republicans.

"No American should have to walk outside after a storm to see sewage
in the streets," said Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif.

Supporters cited Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the
nation's wastewater infrastructure will face a funding shortfall of $300
billion to $400 billion over the next 20 years.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/07/AR2007030701830.html

[Donnachaidh]

1. who voted against it?

I'm curious -- I'll bet it's my reps in Georgia. :grr:

[Greeby]

2. Here's the vote

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll125.xml

[musette_sf]

3. so the next time DUers get all thrilled

about Ron Paul being against this damned illegal war, i hope they remember that this "libertarian" POS couldn't care less if you drink poisoned water. prolly thinks if you want clean, safe water then YOU personally should clean your own personal supply. g-d how i despise libertarians... :grr:

[salin]

4. A big old "dare ya!" bill

I don't want to discredit the importance of the bill in its own right. It is important. But it also is a big ole "I dare Ya" - look at the vote margin - this is one that it will be hard for some Repub senators to go against which means that this is likely to be something that bushco abhors that gets through both houses of congress and a conference bill (though who knows what craftily hidden poison pill might be attached to try to make the votes on the conference bill (the compromise legislation from the house and senate which then has to pass both houses of congress)) This forces bush who has avoided "vetos" and using the extraconstitutional 'signing statement' instead - to either veto (and go against the idea of clean water for citizens) OR to go the extraconstitutional way (the signing statement) on an issue that few in the public would side with him on. Show down time.

Whether bushjr is popular or not is no longer an issue for the remainder of his term (he will never recover from the distaste the public feels for him) - but how far down, and for how long, he takes his party is not yet predictable. Showdowns like these which if he chooses to make it a showdown - could be what takes the party down further - meaning a longer year span before they begin to win federal elections in the future. This is a bill to keep a close watch on.

:popcorn: