SCHIP: Leadership needed to end stalemate

The Clarion-Ledger Editorial, 9/27/7

Mississippi’s U.S. Sen. Trent Lott could be the voice of reason in the debate over federal funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

While the House voted 265-159 on Tuesday to add $35 billion over five years to SCHIP, the margin is not enough to override a veto. President Bush opposed expanding the program, saying it will become an expensive entitlement program.

Although the Senate is expected to have enough votes to override a veto when it comes for a vote, unless both chambers can do so, SCHIP’s funding will die by Friday.