WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate passed a second measure aimed at doubling the funding for a program aimed at providing health insurance for children.

The Democratic-controlled Senate passed the measure Thursday on a 64-30 vote, with all Democrats voting in favor of the bill and 17 Republicans following suit. The House of Representatives earlier passed the bill by a 265-142 majority. The measure is next sent to the White House.

Neither total would be enough -- if all members vote -- to override an expected veto from U.S. President George Bush. He vetoed a near-identical measure in October.

The program -- the State Children's Health Insurance Program -- provides states with funding for health insurance for children. Supporters say it is necessary for low-income children to have coverage while critics say it is too broad and gives insurance to children who could be on private plans.

"The president has manufactured phony excuse after phony excuse to mislead Americans into opposing" the bill, said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "Regardless, we will continue to work in good faith with the president and Republican leaders ... to provide 10 million American children the healthcare they need."

The measure would increase funding for the program by $35 billion over the course of the next five years to $60 billion. The bill would increase the amount of children enrolled in the program from 6 million to nearly 10 million.

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