Reid rejects compromise on SCHIP

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) strongly rejected talks of reaching a compromise with the White House on a children’s healthcare bill on Thursday, a day after President Bush vetoed the popular measure and appealed to Congress to find middle ground on the issue.

“That to me is insulting, for this man to talk about compromise,” Reid said.

{mosads}Arguing that the measure is too costly and goes beyond the program’s intent of insuring low-income children, Bush vetoed legislation on Wednesday that would have extended the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for 10 years and expanded it to cover other children at the cost of an additional $35 billion. Recognizing the popularity of the program and the heavy criticism being leveled at him by Democrats and key Republicans, the president said he wants to reach an accord below the $35 billion level.

But Reid and top Democrats said Thursday they are in no mood to negotiate, and plan to pressure about 15 House Republicans to switch their votes, which would allow them to override the veto on Oct. 18. The Senate appears to have enough votes to override the veto.

“He should understand that what he’s done with his macho pen is whack 10 million children,” Reid said, adding that he’s “absolutely” ruling out going below the $35 billion expansion.

“CHIP stands for ‘Children’s Health Insurance Program,’ not ‘bargaining chip,’ ” said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

Reid would not divulge his contingency plans if the House fails to override the veto. However, the Democratic leader said he and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) would bring the issue up “every chance we get.”

As Democrats take a hard line, some Republicans are working behind the scenes to build support for compromise measures. Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), the general chairman of the Republican Party, says he has received “encouraging” words from the administration on a compromise bill that would add $5 billion more to the program and help some families “above the poverty level by providing them with a tax credit.”