(Repeats to add missing bracket in 3rd paragraph) WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - A top congressional Democrat vowed on Sunday to push to expand a popular children's health care program, despite a veto from President George W. Bush. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California also said any talks aimed at settling the battle over health care would require Bush to make an "overture." "We'll try very hard to override (Bush's veto)," Pelosi said on the ABC television program "This Week." The battle over the program to provide health coverage to children of low- and moderate-income families is shaping up as a theme in next year's presidential and congressional elections. To the chagrin of some Republicans who fear the move could hurt their party in the elections, Bush earlier this month vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have provided an extra $35 billion over five years to the health program. Cigarette taxes would have been raised to cover the cost. Supporters say the $35 billion would have allowed the program to cover 10 million children, up from the current 6 million. Bush's rejection of the health bill marked the fourth veto of his presidency. He said the measure would have expanded the children's health program beyond its original intent and marked a step toward government-run health care. But he offered to sit down for talks with Democrats and said he would consider a larger increase in the health program than the $5 billion he had initially proposed. An attempt to override Bush's veto is expected to take place this week and Republicans have expressed confidence that they can prevent an override. As for Bush's offer of discussions, Pelosi said she had not yet heard directly from the president. "We'll talk to the president at the right time, when he makes an overture to do so," she said. "The president has never talked about a compromise. A compromise to the president means, in all due respect to him ...'Do it my way.'" Pelosi also said she would not give ground on the push to cover to increase the health program to cover 10 million children. "No lower number than 10 million children," she said. The White House rejected Pelosi's statement, saying Bush had been willing to work with members of both parties to reach a deal on funding the program. "It is unfortunate that Speaker Pelosi would rather launch false political attacks against the President than work with him to reauthorize (SCHIP) in a way that covers poor children first," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. "However, it is encouraging that Speaker Pelosi has expressed a willingness to find common ground." (Additional reporting by Caren Bohan in Crawford, Texas)
