October 11, 2007 - With total disregard to what the majority of Americans want, including members of his own party, President Bush vetoed legislation last week that would have provided new funding to cover an additional 4 million of the nation’s neediest children under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The program, set to expire September 30, has been continued through a stop-gap bill that will be in effect through mid-November.
Bush’s veto emphasizes how distant his priorities are from those of the American public. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed their disbelief.
"Unfortunately, I believe that some have given the president bad advice on this matter, because I believe that supporting this bipartisan compromise to provide health coverage to low-income children is the morally right thing to do. I hope that we can muster enough votes to overturn this veto,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.
Many Republicans joined nearly every Democrat in the House and Senate and voted to renew the program for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford health insurance. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md, announced October 18 as the date the House will attempt to override the veto. Lawmakers will be working hard until then to find enough votes. The Senate already has enough votes to override.
Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Oregon, summed up Bush’s veto this way: "I believe this is an irresponsible use of the veto pen. I hope the House can garner enough votes to override the President."
