Lowey Statement on SCHIP Veto Override

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today issued the following statement in response to the failure of the House of Representatives to override President Bush’s veto of legislation reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which would provide health care for ten million children nationwide.

“October 18 is a sad day for the 10 million children who will go without health coverage because President Bush and some in his party put ideology ahead of the best interests of our children.

“SCHIP works. It serves children in hard-working families that are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid but who cannot afford private coverage. It is one of the most successful federal programs in existence today.

“The bill that President Bush vetoed has the support of a broad, bipartisan majority of Congress, 43 Governors, more than 270 independent organizations, and the American public. We are spending $12 billion every month in Iraq, or $144 billion per year yet this President doesn’t believe we can afford an additional $35 billion over the next five years to provide low-income hard working families with health care for their children. This veto and the decision of a minority of the House to sustain it are indefensible.

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