Bush Vetoes Extended Jobless Benefits

President Bush vetoed a $6.4-billion bill Friday that would have provided up to 20 additional weeks of unemployment benefits, calling it a “poorly designed, unnecessarily expensive program.”

He said in a letter to the Senate that the bill “violates essential elements” of the budget agreement that lawmakers and the White House agreed to last year because it does not include offsetting cutbacks to make up for the $6.4-billion price tag.

“I would gladly sign into law responsible legislation that does not threaten the economic recovery and its associated job creation,” Bush said, repeating his call for an alternative, less costly unemployment package.

The veto brought immediate criticism from the bill’s congressional supporters.

Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) promised a veto override effort and accused Bush of taking advantage of a day when all eyes were riveted elsewhere--on the Senate hearings involving accusations against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas--to “turn his back on millions of Americans who have no way to buy groceries for their kids.”

“If he thought no one would notice, he’s wrong,” Gephardt said in a written statement. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ronald H. Brown accused Bush of “vetoing the unemployment bill while the nation’s attention is focused on the issue of sexual harassment.”

Although Congress passed the extension by large margins, the Senate vote was two shy of that needed to override a presidential veto.

The Senate passed the bill 65 to 35. The House passed the measure 300 to 118.

To override a veto, a two-thirds vote is required in the House and the Senate.