Rep. Courtney, House Again Challenge President's SCHIP Veto

Statement

Rep. Courtney, House Again Challenge President's SCHIP Veto

Congressman Joe Courtney today voted today to override President Bush's veto of H.R. 3963, Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (SCHIP). However, with 151 Republicans voting against the override, the SCHIP legislation has once again failed to meet the 2/3 majority needed to pass into law.

"Republican obstructionism continues to jeopardize the coverage of 6 million children already in the SCHIP program, and takes away the opportunity to include an additional 4 million eligible kids who currently have no health insurance," stated Congressman Joe Courtney. "The Democratic-led majority has worked in a bipartisan manner to meet the demands of this Administration and to present a meaningful SCHIP bill. In the end, however, we will pass this one way or another with this President, or the next."

The Congress earlier this year sent to the President H.R 976, which was a very similar version of H.R. 3963. The President vetoed that legislation citing concerns that were addressed by the Democratic-led Congress in H.R. 3963. After addressing the President's concerns, the White House vetoed the latest effort.

"Considering the current economic downturn, this is precisely the right time to provide children and families with health care coverage. An estimated 9,200 new Connecticut children would qualify for SCHIP/Medicaid as a result of the current economic state in Connecticut. Working families should be provided a level of security for their children they otherwise would not have as they work to weather this economic storm," added Courtney.

Despite the President's and Republicans' efforts to stall the SCHIP reauthorization with its many improvements, the Democratic Congress will not let children lose their coverage. On September 26, 2007, the House passed the continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008 (Public Law 110-92), which contained stop-gap funding so that the SCHIP program can continue to operate at current funding levels through Fiscal Year 2008.

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