Override of SCHIP Veto Unlikely

WASHINGTON — President Bush, anticipating that his veto of a $35 billion spending increase for children's insurance will stand, has assigned three top advisers to try to negotiate a new deal with Congress.

Democrats appeared about 15 votes short in the House heading into today's attempt to override Mr. Bush's veto of their $35 billion spending increase for the program.

The president said his veto gives him a chance to weigh in on the future of the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

"Sometimes the legislative branch wants to go on without the president, pass pieces of legislation and the president can then use the veto to make sure he's a part of the process," Mr. Bush said.

Leading the discussions for his administration are the health and human services secretary, Mike Leavitt; the director of the National Economic Council, Al Hubbard; and the White House budget chief, Jim Nussle.