**FILE**Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D- Nev., in Washington on Feb. 15, 2007. Reid is working on his memoirs, to be published in the spring 2008 by G.P. Putnam's Sons, his publisher says in a statement released Wednesday, March 14, 2007. . (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., made the following statement today after President Bush vetoed the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007:
"Never has it been clearer how detached President Bush is from the priorities of the American people. By vetoing a bipartisan bill to renew the successful Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), President Bush is denying health care to millions of low-income kids in America.
"Congress will fight hard to override President Bush's heartless veto. Not only is this a critical program - one that will improve the lives of 6.6 million low-income children currently in CHIP and provide health insurance to 4 million more - but the vast majority of the American people know giving kids the care they need is the right thing to do.
Bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress and the governors of nearly every state, health-care providers and patient advocates, rural and urban Americans, and citizens of all ages are united in strong support of our nation's children. With today's veto, President Bush has turned his back on America's children and he stands alone."
Nevada Democratic Party Chairwoman Jill Derby today condemned President Bush's veto of legislation that would have renewed the State Children's Health Insurance Program " which currently provides health care coverage to more than 6 million children nationwide " and improve it by expanding coverage for more children in Nevada.
President Bush's veto, which will prevent 35,000 uninsured children in Nevada from gaining health care, comes despite overwhelming support of the American people to expand the program.
Not only have a bipartisan group of 43 governors called on President Bush to extend and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, but seven states filed lawsuits against the Bush Administration challenging proposed federal rules that would "force poor children to lose health coverage." according to The Associated Press.
Derby called on Sen. John Ensign, Rep. Dean Heller and the Republican Presidential candidates to stand up to President Bush and join Democrats in voting to override President Bush's veto. Both Ensign and Heller voted against the SCHIP bill in Congress.
"President Bush and the Republicans trying to replace him may think it makes sense to turn their backs on Nevada's children, but John Ensign and Dean Heller have an opportunity to stand with Democrats in standing up for kids in the Silver State," Derby said. "Allowing President Bush's reckless and irresponsible veto to stand means denying thousands of Nevada children the opportunity to see a doctor, receive preventative care and live healthier and happier lives. Republicans like John Ensign and Dean Heller should have the courage to do the right thing and stand up to President Bush by joining Democrats in fighting for the families and children of Nevada."