Obama slams McCain on flooding controls

June 22, 2008

MIAMI - With communities in the Midwest still under water, Democrat Barack Obama criticized Republican John McCain yesterday for opposing federal spending on flood prevention programs and opened a new debate in the White House race. McCain's campaign said Obama was engaging in typical political attacks that the Democrat rejects in his speeches and confusing the facts. The bill that McCain opposed spent $23 billion on water projects. It passed Congress overwhelmingly and was vetoed by President Bush. Congress voted to override the veto. McCain's campaign said Obama opposed an amendment that McCain co-sponsored to prioritize flood control spending. The bipartisan amendment failed on a 69-22 vote.