Veto overturn effort for SCHIP by Democrats

A showdown between the Democratic party-controlled US Congress and the Republican administration in the White House is due on October 18, when the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a proposal to overturn President George W Bush's veto of the extension of the States Children's Health Insurance Program.

Analysts at Lehman Brothers estimate that the vote is unlikely to succeed in securing the two-thirds majority of 435 Representatives that is required to overrule Pres Bush's veto. According to WashingtonWatch.com, the cost of the SCHIP renewal would be $1,608.01 per family. In a marked shift in public opinion, the group now estimates that support for the expanded form of the SCHIP is down to 49% with a small majority, 51%, opposing the Democrat-inspired coverage expansion proposals.

Pres Bush vetoed the SCHIP renewal bill, only the fourth item of legislation blocked by him but the third in the past year, on October 3.