The House has failed to override President Bush’s veto of a bill expanding health insurance to millions of children from low-income families. Supporters needed a two-thirds majority to overcome the veto. But not a single Republican who initially voted against the measure switched sides. The bill would have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as S-CHIP, by $35 billion over five years. Democratic leaders say they will reintroduce the measure with minor changes next month. Meanwhile, Democratic Congressmember Pete Stark has set off a furious Republican reaction with his comments on the House floor. Stark said: “You don’t have money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.” Stark has refused to apologize.
House Fails to Override Bush S-CHIP Veto
HeadlineOct 19, 2007