Bush Threatens to Veto $318B Highway Bill

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- States would get an additional $100 billion over the next six years to build roads, repair bridges and improve public transit under a Senate-passed bill that the White House says is extravagant in an age of record deficits.

The Senate voted 76-21 Thursday to approve the $318 billion surface transportation bill, a winning margin that would be enough to override a presidential veto threatened by the administration.

The current six-year highway spending bill, which expires at the end of this month, provided $218 billion.

"This bill will make a difference in the life of every American by making it easier and safer to get from place to place," said Sen. Jim Jeffords, I-Vt.

more..................

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-congress-highways,0,3687843.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

My mom was almost killed yesterday because a pothole blew out her tire. Lets just say that this issue has me quite hot under the collar this morning.

[SheilaT]

1. I wonder what the rationale

is behind letting the highways deteriorate so. Letting the public schools fail gets people thinking vouchers are a good idea. Letting the economy collapse encourages military enlistments, and being grateful for any job whatsoever.

Are they thinking that if the highways are in truly terrible shape, people will stay home except when utterly necessary? Or maybe Haliburton doesn't build roads? If the companies who do the actual road building were to contribute more to the Republicans, would that get the highway bill passed?

[jmoss]

5. didn't any see the State of.....

the Iraqi Union speech.

I think GW's portfolio is rather slim!

[bowens43]

2. There is nothing that I would like more then to see the idiot

use his first veto on this bill and then have the republican controlled congress over ride that veto.

[worldgonekrazy]

17. Even if Congress didn't override

It would still look AWFUL for Bush. The ultra-conservatives might like it ("see, he really is about controlled spending!"), but I guarantee you all of the moderates would be TICKED!

[dusty64]

3. Does anyone

have a clue what kind of evil shit the rethugs have secretly shoved into this monster, or are they just gonna vote on a thousand page bill again without reading it? Its going to be tough to go after the taxcut and spend righwting when so many Democrats go along again.

[UpInArms]

4. this is all posturing

because his base is going nuts about the fact that this bozo has not once vetoed a spending bill.

So the pukes in congress have run up the number on this bill so that he can veto it and "prove" that he is fiscally concerned with overspending.

Then they will "trim" the number and he will sign it.

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

:puke:

[Snappy]

6. A new paved road to w's ranch?

I'd like to see what pork is in this Bill?

Yeah, the Rethugs prolly padded it so they could brag that w vetoed it 'cause he is watching the deficit closely. Yeah..right. These Rethugs make me wanna puke in their faces.

[wabeewoman]

16. Exactly!!

I just listened to the WH briefing and McClellum made a big deal about how bush was going to veto it because it would too much money blah blah blah. They are SO transparent!

[patricia92243]

7. We can't spend money on building up OUR highways - we have to send that...

money to Iraq so they can build THEIR roads. Sarcasm

[liberalnurse]

8. Bush threatens all the time. He never once signed a veto.

We need to get what we need and if he veto's it the so be it. I think he's bluffed one too many times. I am shocked at how the Dem's fall for the poker trick. We need to go face to face with him.

[no_hypocrisy]

9. Veto because of budget deficits? Chutzpah & hubris. Override the sucker.

n/t

[Vogon_Glory]

10. Boosh Highway Bill Veto

George Deucey-U Bush's threatened veto of the highway spending bill is typical of the Banana Republican mindset that will inevitably reduce American roadways to Third World standards--and I'm not talking about the better roadways of Mexico or Chile, either.

What the right-wing mindset continues to fail to realize is that at best, the taxpayers only get what they're willing to pay for. Deferred maintenance is the unreported liquidation of the taxpayers' capital--that capital including our highway infrastructure.

In time, we will pay for that deferred maintenance, either through higher repair and replacement bills, or through the lives and property lost and battered bodies caused by this lack of maintenance.

To be fair to Dubya, it's not just him. It's the Banana Republican-controlled Congress that shares in this folly, too. Boosh and the Banana Republican leadership have been playing a very successful one-hand-or-the-other con game and the befuddled American citizen/voters and the indolent corporate media continue to fall for the scam.

[mrbill]

11. the chimponator could cut $90 million for stupid bridges in dallas.

dallas doesn't need three golden gate style designer bridges over the trinity river which only has water in it two months out of the year.

this is a big pork project included in the highway budget.

lucky dallas.

[havocmom]

12. Sir, the peasants have no roads"

"Let them fly jets"

[goobergunch]

13. 76-21

That's 9 votes over 67, and the conference report will probably trim spending down a bit, getting the final copy of the bill more votes.

The bill will be enacted.

[bif]

19. Exactly. He can't veto it!

Take that you smug asshole!

[ProfessorGAC]

14. Now, He's Worried About Spending Money He Doesn't Have???

Where the heck has he been for 3+ years? The one time he targets a large spending bill for veto, it's for one of the most critical elements of economic conduct. What an idiot!
The Professor

[Khephra]

15. Great

My mom's car had a second blow-out today. I wonder if this is just Indiana or all over the place? I'm betting all over.

[Robbien]

18. The real reason behind Bush's threat of veto is

that the Senate version of the bill wants to close corporate tax loopholes to get revenue to pay for the $84 billion gap between gas tax revenues and this bill.

Always follow the money. If Bush says he is against something it is because his corporate bigwig contributors will be hurt.

[Beetwasher]

20. Although It's Stuffed w/ Outrageous Pork

This is a spending bill that would actually create jobs and be an investment into the infrastructure of the country. Figures the moron would choose to veto this bill, and for all the wrong reasons...