Statement on Action by the House of Representatives Sustaining the Veto of H.R. 12928

This has been a tough fight. I am gratified by the result, but I can take little personal pleasure from a fight among friends, whatever the outcome.

We took a long step in the battle against inflation this afternoon. The Nation owes a debt to the Congress for its wise and responsible action.

As I said earlier this week, there has never been a question of the need to develop our energy and water resources. I will work with the Congress to develop legislation that provides the energy and water projects we need—and can afford.

The hard work and dedication that went into the original legislation will not be wasted. Working together, I hope the Congress and the administration will be able to agree on legislation that protects our citizens from the devastation of drought and floods, that channels water from resource-rich to resource-poor areas, that develops our necessary energy resources.