AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine lawmakers have failed to override the governor’s veto of a bill aimed at helping veterans access health care.
The House’s 89-54 vote on Tuesday sustains Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto.
The bill would have allocated $15,000 to supply U.S. passport cards to veterans whom politicians say are being denied access to health clinics.
A 2007 state law keeps Maine out of a federal program which requires state governments to store copies of documents such as birth certificates, which critics say can easily be stolen.
The governor supports a bill forcing Maine to comply with the federal law.
Currently, a state-issued driver’s license isn’t enough to get into certain federal buildings.
Nearby military installations with health clinics have exceptions for veterans who bring a veteran’s health card or U.S. passport.
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