Senate readies first Bush veto override

updated 11:36 a.m. ET Nov. 8, 2007

CAPITOL HILL - The Senate could hand President Bush his first veto override today.

Yesterday, the House voted 361-54 to override Bush's veto of a 23 billion dollar water projects bill that he argues is too expensive.

But with hundreds of projects nationwide, including a large chunk of funding for projects in the hurricane-hit Gulf Coast and the Florida Everglades, many Republicans sided with Democrats.

Florida Republican John Mica says he "must respectfully disagree" with the president's veto, calling the bill "important and long overdue."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says Bush's charge that the bill is "fiscally irresponsible" doesn't ring true. He says "fiscally responsible people know that clean water and safe harbors aid our commerce and the health of our people."

The White House says the president is taking the side of taxpayers. As for the prospect of this being the first in a possible string of overrides, spokeswoman Dana Perino says, "We'll see about that."

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