Speech #1100131880

The new Democratic majority heard them and responded by passing H.R. 976. "State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007." The President vetoed the bill. basing his decision on the absurd and laughable claim that the program was thinly disguised "socialized medicine" and that it was too costly to provide health insurance for Americas needy children. The Presidents senseless veto of the SCHIP bill suggests that this administration is operating under the misimpression that it is entitled to a continuation of the ancien rigime under which the Republicanled Congress look askance and gave the President a blank check to mismanage the affairs of our Nation. Following the Presidents first veto. the bill was revised to meet a number of concerns raised by the President including ensuring lowerincome children are enrolled first and ensuring benefits are denied to illegal immigrants. While the bill again passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 265 to 142. moving to the Senate where it passed by a vetoproof 64 to 30. the President again vetoed the bill and. in so doing. denied health care to millions of deserving American children. January 23. 2008 CONGR No matter how many veto threats the President issues. this Congress is not going to give him a blank check to escalate and continue the war in Iraq or to ignore the pressing domestic needs of the American people.