October 4, 2007 - 12:15AM
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Bush, in a confrontation with Congress, on Wednesday vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have dramatically expanded children’s health insurance.
It was only the fourth veto of Bush’s presidency, and one that some Republicans feared could carry steep risks for their party in next year’s elections. The Senate approved the bill with enough votes to override the veto, but the margin in the House fell short of the required number.
The White House sought as little attention as possible, with the president wielding his veto behind closed doors without any fanfare or news coverage.
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program is a joint state-federal effort that subsidizes health coverage for 6.6 million people, mostly children, from families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford their own private coverage.
Chips Veto Attacked
"If I didn't I don't know what I would do. I'd probably go protesting so I could get insurance for the girls," she said.
Her parents were unable to insure her as a child, so Yezenia knows how hard the President's veto of $35 billion toward the Children's Health Insurance Program can hit home.
"I think that's kind of ridiculous. There's a lot of kids; some don't get insurance, and they need it," she said.
Another mother taking a strong stance against the President's decision is Luisa Saenz, who is also the director of the Children's Defense Fund. She says "it's critically important that CHIP be extended."
Hey Aaron, with friends like those who needs enemies?
