The House voted yesterday to override Bush's veto on a spending bill for water projects by a 361-54 margin. The New York Times also reported that the House just passed legislation that combines veterans funding Bush supports with Health, Education, and Labor appropriations that Bush has threatened to veto. Like Schip, this is another example of Bush trying to stand for fiscal responsibility. The Republican leadership in the House sided with the Democrats, who claim that Bush won't support domestic programs while wasting far more money in Iraq.

The legislation could be the first veto override that this administration faces depending on how the Senate acts. It also reflects the political posturing in anticipation of next year's election. Bush is trying to return to his party's conservative roots but congressional Republicans, as was the case with Schip, face the possibility of being painted as not caring about domestic needs. On the other hand, Bush is accusing Democrats of loading pork on their spending legislation.