"I returned to Washington late last night, and when I got back to the White House, I was disappointed by what Congress had been doing, and even more disappointed what they had not been doing,'' Bush said during a White House press briefing.
On Thursday, the House passed legislation to expand SCHIP coverage and offer it to an additional four million children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but who might not be able to afford private insurance. SCHIP currently covers 6 million low-income children. The expansion would cost approximately $35 billion over five years.
Bush vetoed an almost identical version of the bill three weeks ago, and the House failed to override his veto. He vowed today to reject the new bill if it reaches his desk.
Bush also blasted Congress for a range of other uncompleted tasks on their chore list, including passing a defense-spending bill, approving his nomination for the new head of the Department of Justice and extending the Internet tax moratorium.
Bush said, "With only a few weeks left on the legislative calendar, Congress needs to keep their promise to stop wasting time and get essential work done on behalf of the American people." He left the room following his statement and did not answer reporters' questions.
Congressional Democrats immediately fired back, blasting the president's priorities. "The president's reckless spending overseas is cutting short investments right here in America," said Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-NV). "It is clear that President Bush's priorities are simply not those of the American people."
