Area lawmakers vote to uphold Bush veto

Greater Cincinnati's House members voted today against overriding President Bush's veto of the children's health bill. The measure failed, meaning that the president's veto stands. It also means it won't be considered in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, introduced Thursday an alternate measure to renew the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, along with a $1,400 per child health care tax credit. Reps. John Boehner, Steve Chabot and Jean Schmidt are co-sponsors of the bill's House counterpart.

Here is what Cincinnati's local lawmakers had to say about today's vote:

Minority Leader Boehner, R-West Chester, voted AGAINST the veto override: "I’m disappointed that we’ve reached this point. I think all of us know that Democrats want to renew the SCHIP program; Republicans want to renew the SCHIP program. We haven’t been afforded the opportunity to sit down and work together to resolve the differences we might have in order to keep this important program alive and available to children in America who deserve and need good health care coverage."

Chabot, R-Westwood, voted AGAINST the veto override: "The vote today sends a message that we must work together in a bipartisan manner to pass an extension of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. … I fully support the SCHIP program. I supported its creation in 1997, and I am a cosponsor of legislation that will extend and enhance this important program’s effectiveness in covering the children of families who need assistance the most."

Rep. Geoff Davis, R-Hebron, Ky., voted AGAINST the veto override: "I want my constituents to know that I fully support the reauthorization of SCHIP for the tens of thousands of Kentucky families that benefit from it each year. But, the SCHIP bill put before the House was irresponsible legislation that would have made it easier for illegal aliens to obtain benefits while at the same time massively expanding government-controlled healthcare."

Schmidt, R-Miami Township, voted AGAINST the veto override: "The governments program for providing health insurance to poor children is an excellent program. It must be continued. However, it must also be improved. Today 131,000 poor children in Ohio alone are uninsured even thought they qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP. These children must be our focus."

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain: "More than 81 percent of Americans support expanding the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Ohio children like Emily Danko, Tanner Stainbrook, and Seth Novak, rely on CHIP to stay healthy. Those who voted today to uphold the president’s shameful veto should travel across Ohio and meet with these families one-on-one. Ohio voters and Ohio children were ignored today. I’m extremely disappointed."

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Louisville: "Now that the veto has been sustained, it’s time to move forward with a serious plan to extend health coverage for those SCHIP was meant to cover: low-income children. It’s time to stop the campaign ads and time to start working across party lines to forge a bipartisan compromise."

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Cleveland: "We all want to cover more uninsured children but we should not unnecessarily increase a government program beyond its intent when the private sector is already providing coverage. … Our bill looks at the big picture and finds ways to increase funding for SCHIP while using the tax code to insure millions of children."