Democrats have plan if SCHIP fails

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said a presidential veto won't stop Democrats from enacting an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

In an interview on ABC's "This Week," Pelosi said the core dispute won't die even if the U.S. House of Representatives fails to override the veto, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

"We won't rest until those 10 million children have healthcare," Pelosi said. "We have a plan."

At issue is an expansion of the current insurance program to cover more uninsured children, including some in middle-class households.

U.S. President George Bush and his GOP allies say the measure goes too far because it would offer government assistance to families who can afford private coverage.

Both the House and U.S. Senate have passed the measure but House GOP leaders are confident Democrats won't field enough votes to override the president's veto.

"We'll just beat them up with it" in campaign ads one senior Democratic aide who requested anonymity told the Times when asked what would happen if the override fails.