In an historic vote for Great Lakes protection, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Great Lakes compact today. The Senate has already approved the Great Lakes compact and it now goes to President Bush, who has stated he will sign it. The vote was postponed by a procedural maneuver yesterday, but Congressional leaders supporting the compact prevailed less than 24 hours later. Some of the House leaders that made the compact a priority in the last week before Congress breaks for the election include John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), James L. Oberstar (D-MN), Vernon J. Ehlers (R-MI) and Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH).
The final vote was 390 to 25, with18 members not voting. Some notable representatives from Great Lakes states that opposed approval of the compact include conservative Republican Dan Burton of Indiana and more liberal Democrats Dennis Kucinich (OH), Betty McCollum (MN), and of course Bart Stupak (MI).
Coverage from Diana Marrerio and Dan Egan of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Deb Price of the Detroit Newsis already available online. More to come...
