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House, Senate Override Bush Veto on Medicare

Move means payments to doctors won't be cut by nearly 11%

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 15, 2008 5:56 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Congress today overrode President Bush's veto of legislation on Medicare, ensuring that payments to doctors won't be cut by nearly 11%, CNN reports. The House voted 383-41, and the Senate followed 70-26 to override the president for only the fourth time during his presidency. Bush says the legislation doesn't address the program's fundamental problems, but lawmakers feared doctors would stop providing services if their payments were cut.

"Today, President Bush decided that the overwhelming majority of the Congress was wrong," said the Dems' Steny Hoyer, the House majority leader. "He'll have to explain, however, to America's seniors why he was so willing to stand between them and their health care." Bush, though, said the legislation relied on "short-term budget gimmicks."

President Bush meets reporters in the White House Tuesday, where he called on Congress to move to put into force legislation designed to prop up mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
President Bush meets reporters in the White House Tuesday, where he called on Congress to move to put into force legislation designed to prop up mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 25, 2008.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Senate • Medicare • House of Representatives • veto override • presidential veto

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