Bush To Pelosi: Kids' Health Veto Coming

President Tells Speaker That He Will Veto SCHIP Bill Despite Congressional Support

(AP)  President Bush insisted to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Friday that he's going ahead with his promised veto of a major expansion of a children's health program despite its overwhelming approval by Congress.

Pelosi, D-Calif., said she told Bush in a morning phone call that she was praying he would change his mind. "I think I have to pray a little harder," she told reporters moments later, at a Capitol ceremony where Democrats celebrated passage of the proposed $35 billion increase in the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

It's doubtful that any new arguments were made in what Pelosi called "a friendly friendly conversation." She said she reminded Bush that many Republicans voted to raise tobacco taxes to fund a program expansion, and that many governors from both parties support it.

"He said he liked people who don't give up," Pelosi said, but he also made it clear he is not backing down.

White House press secretary Dana Perino confirmed Pelosi's account.

"The president has been very clear for months that if the bill came to him in its current form that he would veto it," Perino said.

She added: "What he did say is, `I'm going to veto this bill, and after that, let's see if we can sit down and come to a compromise.' "

Congress and Bush have agreed to fund SCHIP, at its current level, at least through mid-November.

Eighteen Republicans joined a solid Democratic block Thursday when the Senate voted 67-29 for the $35 billion expansion. The House passed the bill Tuesday, 265-159, with 45 Republicans voting for it.

A veto override requires a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers, a threshold that Republicans say they can prevent in the House. Bush is likely to receive the legislation next week, lawmakers said.

Bush has proposed a $5 billion increase in SCHIP, which now covers 6.6 children from modest-income families that are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. The bill approved this week by Congress, he says, is too costly, goes beyond the program's original intent, and shifts too much insurance burden on the government rather than private providers.

Analysts say the legislation would allow about 4 million of the estimated 9 million uninsured children in the United States to gain coverage.

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said SCHIP should be focused on children from families with incomes that fall below twice the federal poverty level - $34,340 for a family of three. Leavitt said the administration wants to talk with lawmakers about other steps that can be taken to help uninsured children from families above that income level.

Democrats feel the SCHIP program is popular, and sense a political blunder on the part of Bush and his congressional allies. Friday's Democratic event, which included Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., featured several small children whose families have relied on SCHIP for medical coverage.

Cameras clicked and whirred as Pelosi briefly held a small boy, and his Elmo doll, on her lap. She said there "are 10 million reasons" for Bush to sign the bill, citing the number of children the proposed expansion would cover.

[mcvet]

Let the Little Nazi veto it! Then FORCE the Republican''s in Congress to say Yeah or Nea!! Put them on record so ALL American''s can see who REALLY care''s about the problems they face out here in Bush''s new Globial Economy!! Sieg Heil Bush!!!

[signof4]

Get out the ole VETO pen, George. Do your duty!!!! Don''t let the bedwetting libs boss you around. BTW, what is Nancy holding?

[scottyusa]

Its a good Bill; however, the way it gets funded is downright discrimination. To fund this Bill on the back of smokers is ludicrous at best. I think its time to give smokers a break. Ct has raised the cigarette tax this year and it was the only tax increase! To keep smoking legal and then persecute the smokers is hypocritical but not surprising. I know all you non smoking fanatics will say we can always quit. Fine, how about raising the tax on booze alone to pay for this one eh??

[ichabod57]

Fine ... let booze pay for it. Booze, cigarettes, heck, legalize prostitution and marijuana, and tax them to pay for it. Whatever it takes, but let''s give these kids the insurance and not use this as a political ploy for the ''08 election. For once, let them just do something because it''s the right thing to do. (Yeah right ... like that''s gonna happen)

[larrs08]

You libs make me sick! Can''t you see that this money is better spent in Iraq?! Where are your priorities? If these free loading kids want health care they can go out and get a job like the rest of us.

[gretagreen]

That''s compassionate conservatism for you. I hope Congress grows a collective backbone, a brain and a heart and override the veto.

[gretagreen]

Lars: That is the best post I''ve ever seen you write! Short, wry, witty.

[one_american]

It seems that the Democrats have thick skulls with small brains inside, if any.

Maybe that''s why they have the historically low approval rating of 11%?

President Bush made it quite clear that the current legislation is bound for a veto.

What part of ''no'' do the Democrats not understand?

Dems will now have to scramble to make a compromise before SCHIP runs out of funding on Sunday.

Shame on the Democrats for trying to place illegal alien children, and middle class children who don''t need it, on the SCHIP program!

[jerr11]

I am glad our great president is telling that Pelosi woman.

With all these cockameny schemes to fund kids'' health, where will we find the money to conduct our freedom war in Iraq!!

In the meantime, ******** Cheney and his Halliburton continue to laugh all the way to the bank!

Put the money where the ******** is!!

LOL

[jimfinster]

Amazing. Bush finally becomes fiscally conservative after 6 years, and a children''s health program is where he draws the line ?!? Go figure.

[lars008-2009]

VOTE FOR JEFFERSON,,, VOTE AGAINST FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM,,, VOTE GOP,,,

dnc are like john adams and want to give the jihadist their lunch money hoping they will leave us alone,,,

gop are like thomas jefferson and want to spend their lunch money on weapons and go kick the jihadists in their arses,,,

What Thomas Jefferson learned from the Muslim book of jihad,,,

Thomas Jefferson knew about fascist nazi islam,,, he killed plenty of them,,,

In 1786 Jefferson and John Adams went to negotiate with Tripoli''''''''s envoy to London, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman or (Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja). They asked him by what right he extorted money and took slaves. Jefferson reported to Secretary of State John Jay, and to the Congress:

The ambassador answered us that [the right] was founded on the Laws of the Prophet (Mohammed), that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have answered their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Mussulman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to heaven.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Bar
bary_War
http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_qur
an.htm
muslim justifies slavery and piracy%u2026
http://www.hawaiireporter.
com/story.aspx?6bdec278-6a71-4436-bc4d-2
9d1c54b0ad7

[fairandbal]

Why do Bush and the GOP hate children so much? Bush''s ''leave no billionare'' program is a resounding success, but he says to america''s children ''s-c-r-e-w y-o-u!''

[lars008-2009]

demonic-rats funding illegal children and adults,,, good one,,,

[jowand]

Amazing. Bush finally becomes fiscally conservative after 6 years, and a children''''s health program is where he draws the line ?!? Go figure.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jimfinster at 05:13 PM : Sep 28, 2007

It''s a Demodog bill, someone making 82,000 can pay for their own kids insurance.

[jeff776]

Wow completely living in a world of his own. Overwhelming approval and Bush still thinks he''s king. I guess it''s like a criminal that knows he''s going away for life taking everyone he can with him before he goes.

[larrs08]

You libs make me sick! Demonic-rats!

Can''t you see that this money is better spent in Iraq?! Where are your priorities? If these free loading kids want health care they can go out and get a job like the rest of us.

[condumism]

65% of Americans want universal health care. The democrats knew this child health bill would be vetoed. Outside of the Southern Fascist states, nobody will be voting for any GOPigs in 2008. Universal health care works everywhere it is in practice. Corporate America, the GOPigs #1 special interests group, will do anything they can between now in the 2008 elections to slander democrats with lies, all in hopes of continuing to skim BILLIONS from Americans for the pitiful health care system we now have in place. GOPigs own this veto big time.

[maedean]

I hope all of you jerks that voted for Bush have young kids at home that need health insurance..This Jack aiss will fix you right up...Good choice you made here.....

[likeitis5050]

Until the Democrats can guarantee kids who have no business being on the healthcare program (illegal immigrants and people who have enough money for healthcare but ''hide'' some areas of income to qualify) will not be bellying up to the table, they have no business even submitting the bill. The Dems are not all that concerned about healthcare for children. It is a push point...nothing else. Bush agreed to one amount and they decided to push for the sake of polictical intrique....the same way they tried to attach a hate crime provision on the bill for continued funding of the troops. They figure surely he won''t veto a bill for funding so tack anything on you want. They are playing games and that''s all they''ve done with time spent....and NO!..I did not vote for Bush...EITHER TIME!

[iceman_1960]

Will this be retroactive ????

WASHINGTON (AP) %u2013 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said Friday that every child born in the United States should get a $5,000 "baby bond" from the government to help pay for future costs of college or buying a home.

[gypsydavid-2009]

***: "You know George, If we did away with the child labor laws these kids could get a job and pay for their own insurance".

GEORGE: "Good idea ***, but Nancy would whine. Where''s Gonzo when we need him"?

[gretagreen]

Well, I''m a Democrat and I care a lot about children''s health care. Luckily, my family has coverage but I know a lot of worried parents who work but have little or no health care coverage.
There will always be fraud and thieves (for the poster so concerned about this), but the possibility of such criminal activity should not deter us from ensuring our children have healthcare. We are supposed to live in the very best country in the world. I want to be able to say we take care of our children here.

[gypsydavid-2009]

Why was *** censored in my post? It''s a proper noun and was not used to depict a part of the anatomy. Has CBS hired censors from FOX NEWS?

[skyk-2009]

Well, I''''m a Democrat and I care a lot about children''''s health care. Luckily, my family has coverage but I know a lot of worried parents who work but have little or no health care coverage.
There will always be fraud and thieves (for the poster so concerned about this), but the possibility of such criminal activity should not deter us from ensuring our children have healthcare. We are supposed to live in the very best country in the world. I want to be able to say we take care of our children here.


Posted by gretagreen at 06:23 PM : Sep 28, 2007
+ report abuse

You are so very right!! It''s not like our fathers day when just about everyone had health care, the Companies today won''t cover Family and even if they do the cost to a working parent is beyond our reach. It''s rough enough trying to make it with the cost of Gas but you toss on HEALTH CARE and you HAVE to pick up a second job.

[skyk-2009]

Until the Democrats can guarantee kids who have no business being on the healthcare program (illegal immigrants and people who have enough money for healthcare but ''''hide'''' some areas of income to qualify) will not be bellying up to the table, they have no business even submitting the bill. The Dems are not all that concerned about healthcare for children. It is a push point...nothing else. Bush agreed to one amount and they decided to push for the sake of polictical intrique....the same way they tried to attach a hate crime provision on the bill for continued funding of the troops. They figure surely he won''''t veto a bill for funding so tack anything on you want. They are playing games and that''''s all they''''ve done with time spent....and NO!..I did not vote for Bush...EITHER TIME!

Posted by likeitis5050 at 05:58 PM : Sep 28, 2007
+ report abuse

Oh Man! Have you swallowed a line or what. Look there are preventatives in the Bill AND if they don''t get treatment with that then they will go to the emergency room. That''s certainly NO REASON to put this plan in place, it''s a good plan and will help MILLIONS of American''s. Surely you can put away your hatred and bigotry long enough to do something GOOD for the AMERICAN WORKER!! You do remember those folks don''t you??

[usayesterday]

"Children can''t vote nor can they raise funds to contribute to campaigns... so fvck''em!"

(secret GOP slogan)


"After the umbilical cord is cut... fvck''em!"

(secret "Pro-Life Conservative" slogan)

[cdfoxtrot]

This story goes to illustrate how incompetent the Dems. are in getting their message out. If it were the other way around and it were a Dem. president threatening to veto similar legislation from the Repiglicans, the mantra would be something like "Support the Kids" (along the lines of the "Support the Troops" mantra anytime funding of the illegal war comes up). The Dems. are just terrible in creating soundbites, and getting their supporters on message. The Repiglicans do a vastly better job, through the hate radio brigade, Fox, and all the rest of the right-wing nut jobs. Why can''t the Dems. do better on this?

[boatdocster]

200 billion this year for all my defense contractor buddies, meanwhile lots of brave but dead or maimed American soldiers....

Hiding in Alabama when more brave soldiers were dying aboard. His Veep is a 6 time draft deferment boy.

But nothing for the American kids at home.

This bill is strongly supported by both parties and many governors, but it cuts in to George''s private war

Impeach Bush. He continues his record of failure representing the people

[gkc99]

Bushit the coward, Bushit the liar, Bushit the thieving scum!

An AWOL deserter, selling the USA to the billionaire clique, betraying our Constitution.

This is the REAL General Betrayus!

And not a penny for sick kids while this vermin lines the pocket of Blackwater and Halliburton in his corrupt, credit card war.

[toolmangler-2009]

WASHINGTON (AP) %u2013 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said Friday that every child born in the United States should get a $5,000 "baby bond" from the government to help pay for future costs of college or buying a home.


This is a joke and a ploy by a person that knows better. I am deeply insulted that a Dem (like me) would stoop to such petty trickery. If this were a "meaningful sum" I would be against it because we as a nation could not foot the bill. To be a "meaningful sum" the money given should be above the current poverty level so that in twenty years the interest would produce an amount that might possibly be a down-payment for a house. I bought my house in 1970 for $11,500, today it will sell for over a quarter mil. That is what inflation realy looks like.

[johnny_chaos]

the insurance companys are scumbags. do away with them, veto bush and his corporate a$$ raiders. seriously, the more pervasive insurance becomes, the worse the care and the more it costs. insurance is a scam. Hillary is a corporate wh0re, just like the chimp.

[usayesterday]

Bush To Pelosi: Kids'''' Health Veto Coming

Pelosi to Bush: No Money For Iraq Coming

Posted by rharrin1 at 07:59 PM : Sep 28, 2007
...........


EXCELLENT LINE!

[bigsk8fan]

so much for compassionate conservatism

we need a real change; vote democratic; and vote often

[standlee5]

The program was meant for the poor, leave it for the poor instead of trying to turn it into a prelude to socialized medicine.

[usayesterday]

The program was meant for the poor, leave it for the poor instead of trying to turn it into a prelude to socialized medicine.

Posted by standlee5 at 08:49 PM : Sep 28, 2007
..............

If you live in the following metro areas:

New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Seattle, or anywhere in New Jersey, Connecticut, or Massachusetts.... and you''re trying to raise a family (with 1 or more children), and you only make no more than $83,000 a year....

... THEN YOU ARE POOR!!!!!!!!!!

[standlee5]

If you make 83K raising a family and still can''t afford healthcare maybe you should move OUT of the city and commute like the rest of us. Puleeez

[jerr11]

These lefties just don''t get it!

If we fund this silly kids'' health program, how''re we going to fund the trillion dollar war in Iraq and pay the 600 billion dollar prescription drug giveaway to the drug companies?

To which, old ******** and his Halliburton buddies in Dubai are saying "Heckuva job, Dubya, We love ya!"

LOL

[meb955]

If you make 83K raising a family and still can''''t afford healthcare maybe you should move OUT of the city and commute like the rest of us. Puleeez

Posted by standlee5


it never ceases to amaze me the depths the ignorant point-repeaters will sink to. sure, moving to the suburbs (if you can afford to do so) will solve all your problems -- an unbelievably ignorant comment. senate republicans put chages through that make bush''s objections lies of the worst kind. there was a reason the program designed flexibility: cost of living actually varies from area to area, and the bill as written puts the poor at the front of the line. there is a reason republican governors support this bill -- as does the private insurance industry and more republicans facing voters next year. THIS IS A GOOD COMPROMISE THAT WILL GET KIDS INSURANCE THEY OHERWISE WON''T HAVE, and certainly won''t under the president''s proposal. override him on this and make the lame duck truely lame.

[johnshaft4]

Jeez, give Bush a break... He needs the money to kill innocent women and children in Iraq (collateral damage).

[ioweign]

Until the Democrats can guarantee kids who have no business being on the healthcare program (illegal immigrants and people who have enough money for healthcare but ''''hide'''' some areas of income to qualify) will not be bellying up to the table, they have no business even submitting the bill. The Dems are not all that concerned about healthcare for children. It is a push point...nothing else. Bush agreed to one amount and they decided to push for the sake of polictical intrique....the same way they tried to attach a hate crime provision on the bill for continued funding of the troops. They figure surely he won''''t veto a bill for funding so tack anything on you want. They are playing games and that''''s all they''''ve done with time spent....and NO!..I did not vote for Bush...EITHER TIME!

Posted by likeitis5050 at 05:58 PM : Sep 28, 2007

Increasing Healthcare coverage for children is something Bush campaigned for. Now he is concerned about budgets ??

[ioweign]

You libs make me sick! Demonic-rats!

Can''''t you see that this money is better spent in Iraq?! Where are your priorities? If these free loading kids want health care they can go out and get a job like the rest of us.






Posted by Larrs08 at 05:35 PM : Sep 28, 2007

The children in Iraq get Free Healthcare !

[ioweign]

Its a good Bill; however, the way it gets funded is downright discrimination. To fund this Bill on the back of smokers is ludicrous at best. I think its time to give smokers a break. Ct has raised the cigarette tax this year and it was the only tax increase! To keep smoking legal and then persecute the smokers is hypocritical but not surprising. I know all you non smoking fanatics will say we can always quit. Fine, how about raising the tax on booze alone to pay for this one eh??

Posted by scottyusa at 04:44 PM : Sep 28, 2007

I quit. So I know your view point. What I find a amusing is the Administration allowed some of those BIG Tobacco awards (increasing a pack of cigarettes) and have the nerve to say a 61 cent tax is going to be a burden on people who can least afford it. The Bush double standard at work !

[walt1944-2009]

The Great Emperor Bush II has re-affirmed his position on children''s health care stating that he would refuse to sign any bill even if everyone in the universe (except him!) supports the bill. The Emperor feels that, because the bill would be funded by additional tobacco taxes, it is better that children get sick than levy more taxes on tobacco users which might hurt the tobacco industry. The Emperor did, however, say he was willing to "compromise" provided the compromise was on HIS terms!

SUFFER THE POOR LITTLE CHILDREN!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[mcvet]

The program was meant for the poor, leave it for the poor instead of trying to turn it into a prelude to socialized medicine.

Posted by standlee5 at 08:49 PM : Sep 28, 2007
..............

If you live in the following metro areas:

New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Seattle, or anywhere in New Jersey, Connecticut, or Massachusetts.... and you''''re trying to raise a family (with 1 or more children), and you only make no more than $83,000 a year....

... THEN YOU ARE POOR!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by USAyesterday at 08:55 PM : Sep 28, 2007
+ report abuse

You Fascist DO KNOW that REAL Republican''s are breaking with you and are calling you LIARS don''t you. You do KNOW that what you posted is a LIE don''t you? Well of course you do but since when has a LIE bothered a Nazi? The Truth is that Congress built a method for each state and that states Governor to be able to tailor the plan to HIS state. In case you FASCIST didn''t notice Illinois has just a wee bit higher standard of living than Mississippi... You did notice that didn''t you? As far as you calling the Plan Socialist or moving toward Socialist.. How many times are you going to ride that tired old horse? You clowns have been putting that trash out all the way back to when you were wearing Brown Shirts and telling everyone that Hitler was the European Miracle!! Don''t you think it''s time to get a new line... Sieg Heil Bush!!

[clarkpaul]

This is a good bill.
The sound bites are CHILDREN and HEALTH. These will be in the political commercials in 2008.
Any congressman or senator voting against this will lose in 2008.

[fairandbal]

Why does the GOP hate American Children? Bush''s ''leave no billionare behind'' act is a resounding success. His oil buddies get to keep their million dollar US government subsidies while they''re raking in BILLION Dollar quarterly profits. CEO''s at Cheney''s company, Halliburton, get multi-million dollar gifts in no bid contracts. But, but but, if you happen to be a poor child living in America, Bush has these words for you... ''s-c-r-e-w y-o-u''.
The GOP party really really has no moral ground to stand on anymore.

[fairandbal]

Why does the GOP hate American Children? Bush''''s ''''leave no billionare behind'''' act is a resounding success. His oil buddies get to keep their million dollar US government subsidies while they''''re raking in BILLION Dollar quarterly profits. CEO''''s at Cheney''''s company, Halliburton, get multi-million dollar gifts in no bid contracts. But, but but, if you happen to be a poor child living in America, Bush has these words for you... ''''s-c-r-e-w y-o-u''''.
The GOP party really really has no moral ground to stand on anymore.

[socrates392]

"Bush To Pelosi: Kids'' Health Veto Coming"

Don''t you mean, "Bush To Pelosi: I Hate Childrens"?

[tbuccelli]

If the Democrats "really" cared about "the children", they would have sent a bill that they weren''t certain would be vetoed. They are doing this for pure political reasons, screw the children. According to Factcheck.org, the democrats proposed bill would cover 4.1M children that need insurance, but also 2M+ children that already have insurance. 67% is a ''D''. If factcheck.org is correct, then the extra 2M represents nothing more than a democratic push towards socialized medicine. Could they have limited the bill to not cover those extra 2M children that already have insurance? Could they have saved $12B in cost in doing so, and maybe been closer to getting this signed? Maybe, but that would not have given them the theater they want. Politicians do NOT care about the children, they only care about furthering their own careers and the sheep out there (both democrats and republicans) fall for it.

[socrates392]

Posted by tmbuccelli at 01:54 AM : Sep 29, 2007

And what''s so bad about socialized medicine? Oh, yeah, I forgot, it actually benefits the American people, not just Bush and his billionaire cronies?

Also, why are you all up in arms about this 12 Billion dollars of "wasted" money, when we are wasting 190 billion on the war? Wouldn''t your adventures on Factcheck.org be better spent exposing the needless spending that is going into this stupid, pointless war!

Get your priorities straight!