U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives Tuesday in a 361 to 54 vote to override the President's veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) - the Chamber's first successful veto override of George W. Bush's presidency.

"The WRDA bill is sorely needed to provide for the repair and upgrade of our nation's crumbling water infrastructure," said Rahall. "Today's override is an outgrowth of the frustration Americans are feeling toward this Administration's tenure of neglect. The President's veto of WRDA was just the latest example of how this Administration has refused to invest in the basic infrastructure that fuels our economy, grows jobs, keeps workers safe, and ensures health care for our citizens and educational opportunities for our children."

The Act will authorize $23 billion for Army Corps of Engineers' navigation, flood control, and environmental restoration projects throughout the country. This will be the first update of WRDA in seven years.

The WRDA funding, which is subject to future appropriations, will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to advance water-related initiatives that provide for the safety and security of citizens throughout the nation, including southern West Virginia. The bill, for example, contains provisions for the construction of a levee/flood wall system in Marlinton, requested by Rahall.

Rahall serves as Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which oversees the Army Corps of Engineers, and was selected to sit as a member of the Conference Committee on the WRDA bill. The Senate is expected to join the House in voting to override the President's veto later this week.

"In the seven years since updates have been made to WRDA, the Corps has been spread thin in West Virginia," said Rahall. "The funding authorized by this bill will help to ensure that the Corps can move forward with construction projects and protect communities, like Marlinton, from dangerous flooding. The override of the President's veto is a victory for communities that have been waiting too long for flood control and water resources."