Schumer: Democrats will push SCHIP forward

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Sunday Senate Democrats are ready to fight for the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Asked by "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace whether Democrats would move forward with the children's healthcare program should President George Bush veto it, Schumer said the party had enough votes to override Bush.

"Yes, we do have enough votes already to override the president in the Senate; 51 Democrats, 18 Republicans, that's enough," the senator said.

But Schumer, who shared time on Sunday with U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., admitted such an override would fail in the House due to a lack of available support.

Lott, meanwhile, spent his time Sunday criticizing the healthcare plan and calling on Democrats to reach an agreement that was acceptable to all involved parties.

"We need to sit down and make some changes so that we can actually get broader support and the president can sign it," Lott said. "That's the way it works here in this city."

The pair did agree far too many adults have found their way onto the insurance program, a move that is taking available money away from needy children.