Bond, Emerson React to SCHIP

Senator Kit Bond is one of the Republicans who expressed disappointment on President Bush's veto of the SCHIP program.

"I'm very disappointed that the president has vetoed the S-Chip bill, it's a valuable safety net for needy children who don't have the means to purchase affordable health care," Bond said.

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson expressed her feelings to The Boston Globe.

"I know the president said it's too expensive," said Representative Jo Ann Emerson, a Missouri Republican, but "a family making $50,000 a year can't afford an $11,000 insurance policy."

But is the debate over the SCHIP really about healthcare coverage or healthcare financing? Those who care about fiscal discipline have to consider that the cigarette tax that is supposed to pay for this program wasn't included in this legislation. It's sort of a -- I'll pay for the hamburger on Tuesday that I eat on Monday.

While this is an unpopular veto for an embattled President, conservatives do have some valid points that get lost in the argument over healthcare for kids. Some states would have allowed coverage of kids in families who make $60,000 or $80,000 a year.

Sure, this is a popular program. But dare anyone call President Bush's veto a courageous one?