Latham says veto could create a Missouri River flood into Iowa

Congressman Tom Latham says the lives and property of people along the Missouri River are endangered by yesterday’s veto. President Clinton vetoed the Water and Energy Appropriations Bill which would have maintained the current management of the Missouri. Latham says if the veto holds, the Fish and Wildlife Service will change the river’s flow, which will bring higher than normal levels in the spring. Latham says the President is catering to the demands of the “extreme environmentalists.”Latham says in the summer, the flows would be reduced, jeopardizing the barge and recreation industries downstream, from Gavins Point Dam. Latham says the Clinton Administration is putting the lives of animals ahead of citizens who live along the river.Latham, a republican from Alexander, says he has not given up trying to override the veto. He says there are enough votes to override in the House..howeverthe Senate needs 15 Senators to change their votes, democrat Tom Harkin among them.