NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Dingell Votes to Override President’s CHIP Veto,
Support Children’s Health Care

Washington, DC – Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today joined a majority in the House of Representatives in voting to override the President’s veto of H.R. 3963, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act. The final vote count of 260 to 152 fell short of the two-thirds majority necessary to overturn President Bush’s veto of H.R. 3963. Although the CHIP Reauthorization Act passed both the House and Senate in 2007 with wide bipartisan support, President Bush has vetoed the legislation twice. If enacted, this legislation would provide health care coverage to 10 million low-income children.

“At a time when our economy is struggling and unemployment is growing, programs such as SCHIP are critical in protecting the health of America’s kids. It is a disgrace that, in the wealthiest country in the world, nearly nine million children are without health coverage. Even more shameful is the fact that our President, along with several House Republicans, decided to ignore the needs of our country’s poorest, most vulnerable children. Despite today’s setback, my colleagues and I will continue to speak out, fight back and work hard to provide our children the support they need and deserve.”

H.R. 3963, the revised Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization, passed the House on October 25, 2007, by a vote of 265 to 142, with 222 Democrats and 43 Republicans supporting this legislation. On November 1, 2007, the Senate also passed the bill, by a vote of 64 to 30, with the support of 45 Democrats, 17 Republicans, and 2 Independents. Despite this overwhelming support, the President vetoed the bill on December 12, 2007.

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