WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg and Sen. Robert Menendez (both D-NJ) on Nov. 2 lambasted President Bush for vetoing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

That act, passed by the House earlier this year, contained $101 million for beach replenishment at Ocean City, Sea Isle City, and contiguous seashore resorts.

The measure would have authorized more than $480 million in federal funds for Army Corps of Engineers projects in New Jersey.

In a joint release, the two senators stated, “Congress is reported to have enough votes to override the President’s veto and is likely to schedule another vote on the bill as early as next (this) week.”

“This bill would improve public safety, restore our coastline, clean our waterways and help protect New Jersey communities from flooding,” stated Lautenberg who, as a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, helped author the bill and ushered it through the Senate and in Conference with the House.

“The President is spending $3 billion each week in Iraq, yet is unwilling to fund vital projects like these here at home. The President needs to support America's water resources. I look forward to overriding the President's irresponsible veto as soon as possible.”

“What this bill invests in protecting New Jersey's coastline, keeping our rivers clean and protecting our homes from flooding, George Bush spends in Iraq in about 1 1/2 days,” Menendez stated.

“Especially considering the extreme droughts all over the country, the President's veto shows he is willing to watch America dry up in order to keep funding his failed war in the desert,” Menendez stated.