An encore performance
By Daily News staff

Thursday’s Congressional override of the water bill proves that Congress might have a little more resolve than a lukewarm glass of tap water.

We’re glad and relieved by the bipartisan efforts to override President George W. Bush’s veto. Apparently, as one local politician recently quipped, the president just got religion when it comes to spending.
If you look down party lines, it’s easy to see that Bush’s veto was not only out of line with national priorities, but also with his own party’s platform.

We thank Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Tim Walz for overriding the veto. And we appreciate Sen. Norm Coleman breaking with the party and supporting the bill that will help fund necessary water projects. Congress has now guaranteed $3 million for the Goodview radium plant as well as the Roseau River flood mitigation project and the Asian carp barrier that will attempt to stop Asian carp from invading the upper portion of the Mississippi River.

We also hope this is the first of other stands Congress is willing to take.

It’s probably not good policy or particularly bipartisan to encourage Congress to override every veto. The veto is a necessary part of governing and should be used to hold Congress in check. But as one Washington, D.C., insider told the Daily News out of the 13 funding bills facing Congress now, Bush has threatened to veto 12 of them.

Threats like that, while honest, don’t seem to be particularly collaborative.

That might mean Congress will have to prepare itself for a repeat override performance, or face the possibility of holding up important legislation.

We would also submit that Congress’ recent abysmal approval rating has little to do with political affiliation, rather bureaucratic constipation. Not a lot seems to get done except for photo opportunities and bombastic rhetoric.

We’re not suggesting that Congress fight over every issue or argue over every policy. Rather, we hope leaders in Congress start taking action instead of the posturing and pandering that has seemed to characterize this new Democrat-controlled Congress.

We want to see our elected leaders take more responsibility — stand up and really debate issues.

We want to see our officials ask the tough questions and challenge leaders within their own party. For too long, Congress has been satisfied to let the leadership do the thinking, instead of representing the wishes of the constituents.

This seems to be a good first step at restoring some of the public trust in Congress.

By Darrell Ehrlick, editor, on behalf of the Winona Daily News editorial board, which also includes publisher Rusty Cunningham and online editor Jerome Christenson. To comment, call (507) 453-3507 or send e-mail to letters@winonadailynews.com.

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