Reply #1: Inhofe of Oklahoma, usually an administration loyalist, was one of several Republicans who urged Bus

[rodeodance]

Conservative Sen. James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, usually an administration loyalist, was one of several Republicans who urged Bush to back off his threat. Inhofe said the strong support for the water measure "sends a clear message to the president: Don't veto this critically important infrastructure bill."

The measure authorizes spending on hundreds of projects across the country, including millions of dollars to protect the Gulf Coast from storms.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said the legislation authorized more than $1.3 billion for projects in California, including $25 million for revitalizing the Los Angeles River and $106 million to continue shoring up levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.