Congress is gearing up to challenge President Bush’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). SCHIP provides medical coverage for children in families which earn above the poverty level but still cannot afford private health insurance.

The President scuttled the proposed $35 billion bill (funding for five years) because of his concern that it would extend coverage to middle-class families and lead to “federalized” medical coverage. The administration proposed instead a $5 billion bill that critics claimed would not support the popular program at current levels.

The bill has substantial bipartisan support. A vote in the Senate resulted in a 67-vote majority that could overturn the veto. The House vote is two dozen votes short of the 289 total needed to override. The showdown vote is scheduled for October 18.