Supporters of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) say Congress’ override of a presidential veto of the bill clears the way toward improving the nation’s water infrastructure. The WRDA will provide $23 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete 900 projects related to flood control, navigation, water supply, environmental restoration and infrastructure maintenance.

President Bush vetoed the bill on Nov. 5, saying it was too expensive, but three days later the House and Senate voted to override the veto, the first time a Bush veto has been overturned. According to the Washington-based American Public Works Association (APWA), the WRDA includes funding for Gulf Coast hurricane recovery programs, new independent review requirements for projects costing more than $45 million and authorization for the creation of a Committee on Levee Safety. “Reauthorization of WRDA after seven long years will go a long way toward maintaining our nation’s economic competitiveness and national security, enabling us to reprioritize and wisely invest in a comprehensive program to properly maintain, repair and replace our water resources infrastructure,” said APWA President Larry Frevert in a statement.