Senate Gives Final Aproval To SCHIP

Ignoring an iron-clad veto promise from President Bush, the Senate gave final approval to a sweeping expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program on Thursday, 69-30.

Eighteen Republicans broke with the president, who has branded the program too expansive and too expensive, and supported the bill, providing a veto-proof margin in the Senate. But the House vote, 265-159, was not enough to override a veto, setting up a potentially long showdown over the issue between the president and the Democratic-controlled Congress.

A separate, continuing resolution to temporarily fund the federal government, including the popular SCHIP program, at the start of the new fiscal year on Monday has already passed the House and is set for a final vote in the Senate on Friday.