Insurance program faces veto from Bush

WASHINGTON — President Bush on Thursday repeated his threat to veto an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), calling Congress' proposals a "step toward federalization of health care."

Congressional lawmakers have called for substantial funding increases for SCHIP by raising taxes on various tobacco products. SCHIP is set to expire at the end of the month, and Congress is expected to vote on reauthorization next week.

Negotiators have said a compromise bill from the chambers will be closer to the Senate version, which includes a funding increase of $35 billion over five years, while the president has proposed a $5 billion increase.

Senate approves FDA fee programs

Congress sent President Bush legislation Thursday giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new powers to ensure the safety of prescription drugs.

The Senate passed the FDA bill by voice vote Thursday, a day after the House approved it. Bush is expected to sign it.

The bill would renew for five years two programs to collect fees from drug and medical-device manufacturers to defray the FDA's expense in reviewing products seeking agency approval. The bill also would beef up the agency's powers to police drug safety.

Agriculture secretary Mike Johanns resigns

President Bush announced the resignation Thursday of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and offered support for his anticipated campaign for a Senate seat from Nebraska.

"If it's Mike's decision and Nebraska's choice, he would make an outstanding member of the United States Senate," Bush said. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Charles Conner took over as acting secretary.

Several state officials said Johanns, a former Republican governor of Nebraska, is expected to seek the Senate seat being vacated at the end of next year by Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel.

Group asks Guiliani to drop Rep. King

A leading Islamic civil-rights group called on Rudy Giuliani on Thursday to drop Rep. Peter King from his presidential campaign after King called for greater scrutiny of U.S. mosques. Giuliani rejected the idea and stood by his friend of 41 years.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Giuliani should drop King over his "extremist and Islamophobic views and comments."

King, R-N.Y., said this week that there are "too many mosques in this country, there's too many people who are sympathetic to radical Islam."

Seattle Times news services