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Bush veto for child health bill Bush veto for child health bill
(40 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has vetoed a bill to expand a children's health care insurance scheme, after it was passed with a large majority in the Senate. US President George W Bush has vetoed a bill to expand a children's healthcare insurance scheme, after it was passed with a large majority in the Senate.
Mr Bush argues it takes the programme beyond its original purpose of insuring children from low-income families.Mr Bush argues it takes the programme beyond its original purpose of insuring children from low-income families.
The vetoed bill proposed higher tobacco taxes to provide an extra $35bn (£17bn) to insure some 10 million children.The vetoed bill proposed higher tobacco taxes to provide an extra $35bn (£17bn) to insure some 10 million children.
Children's health insurance is set to be a campaign issue in next year's elections, analysts say.Children's health insurance is set to be a campaign issue in next year's elections, analysts say.
Eighteen Republican senators joined Democrats last week in passing the legislation by a 67-29 vote.Eighteen Republican senators joined Democrats last week in passing the legislation by a 67-29 vote.
But the House of Representatives, which approved the bill by 265-159, was well short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.But the House of Representatives, which approved the bill by 265-159, was well short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.
It is only the fourth time Mr Bush has used his veto power in the course of his presidency.It is only the fourth time Mr Bush has used his veto power in the course of his presidency.
Public supportPublic support
The State Children's Health Insurance Programme (SCHIP) currently subsidises health care for some 6.6 million people, most of them children.The State Children's Health Insurance Programme (SCHIP) currently subsidises health care for some 6.6 million people, most of them children.
It is directed at families who earn too much to qualify for the Medicaid programme for the poor but cannot afford private health insurance cover.
Mr Bush had said he wanted only a $5bn increase in funding for the scheme.Mr Bush had said he wanted only a $5bn increase in funding for the scheme.
He argued that expanding its coverage further would encourage people currently covered in the private sector to switch to government coverage - and that was too costly. He argued that expanding its coverage further would encourage people currently covered in the private sector to switch to government coverage - and that the proposal was too costly.
His decision to veto the bill is likely to prove unpopular with many people, however, correspondents say.His decision to veto the bill is likely to prove unpopular with many people, however, correspondents say.
A Washington Post/ABC News poll suggested that more than seven in 10 Americans supported the $35bn increase proposed in the bill.A Washington Post/ABC News poll suggested that more than seven in 10 Americans supported the $35bn increase proposed in the bill.
Congressional battle
Democrats in the House say they will seek to persuade sufficient Republican congressmen to change sides to be able to override Mr Bush's veto.Democrats in the House say they will seek to persuade sufficient Republican congressmen to change sides to be able to override Mr Bush's veto.
But House Republican leader Roy Blunt said he was "absolutely confident" that he would be able to prevent that happening.But House Republican leader Roy Blunt said he was "absolutely confident" that he would be able to prevent that happening.
Republican Senator Trent Lott is quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying that the two parties should be able to reach a compromise once the bill has been vetoed.
"We should not allow it to be expanded to higher and higher income levels, and to adults," he said. "This is about poor children."
Many Republicans are likely to feel the pressure of public opinion ahead of congressional elections in November next year.Many Republicans are likely to feel the pressure of public opinion ahead of congressional elections in November next year.
Mr Bush has previously used his veto twice to block legislation that would have eased restrictions on federally funded stem-cell research and once to halt a bill linking war funding to a timetable for withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq.