“Today, by a narrow margin, the House of Representatives was unable to override President Bush’s callous and short-sighted veto of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).  This is a bitter disappointment that will deal a crushing blow to efforts to help America’s military families, as well as to improve children’s health.

This legislation included a measure to expand the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for the first time ever, allowing more unpaid leave for families of service members injured in combat.  By vetoing this bill, President Bush rejected a recommendation made by his own Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors.  We urge Congress to immediately re-introduce this measure, which would mean so much to the military families that already are making such great sacrifices.

Low-income children and families also will suffer if the President’s veto is allowed to stand. President Bush is blocking state efforts to give children in low-income families the health care they need preventive and other care that can improve their health for a lifetime.  The bill also included critical provisions designed to improve the quality of pediatric care. 

We urge Congress to find a way to do what the nation wants and needs to ensure that a strong bill becomes law despite President Bush’s shameful veto.”