Argentina's Congress Overturns Milei Vetoes on University and Pediatric Funding

Legislative Setback for Milei's Austerity

In a significant legislative development, Argentina's Congress has successfully overturned President Javier Milei's vetoes on two key bills. On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to reinstate laws providing essential funding for public universities and pediatric care, including the prominent Garrahan Children's Hospital. This action follows an earlier rejection of the vetoes by the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, marking a notable challenge to the President's stringent austerity measures.

Details of the Overturned Vetoes

The two bills, initially passed by Congress, aimed to bolster critical public services. The legislation concerning public universities sought to guarantee financing, ensure collective bargaining for staff pay, update operating budgets in line with inflation, and expand grants and academic programs. The pediatric care bill declared a public health emergency, allocating additional funds, particularly to the Garrahan Children's Hospital in Buenos Aires.

President Milei had justified his vetoes by arguing that the new spending would 'jeopardize Argentina's fiscal balance' and disproportionately increase public expenditure without identified funding sources. He maintained that 'there is no money' to support such increases, aligning with his broader agenda to reduce the size of government and achieve fiscal equilibrium.

Congressional Vote and Public Reaction

The Senate's vote demonstrated strong opposition to the President's stance. For the public universities funding bill, senators voted 58 in favor of overturning the veto, with 7 against and 4 abstentions. The pediatric care bill saw an even stronger majority, with 59 votes in favor of overriding the veto, 7 against, and 3 abstentions. These margins comfortably surpassed the two-thirds majority required to override a presidential veto.

The congressional action has been met with public support, particularly from those affected by Milei's budget cuts. Students, teachers, and healthcare workers have been actively protesting against the government's austerity policies, with nationwide demonstrations preceding the congressional votes. Outside Congress, crowds celebrated the reversals, with one psychology student, Tomás Bossi, quoted as saying, 'We've been fighting and resisting the government's atrocious underfunding of national universities for over a year.'

Implications for Milei's Administration

This double override represents a significant political setback for President Milei, who took office in December 2023. It is the latest in a series of challenges to his administration, including a previous veto override in September concerning disability funding. The events unfold ahead of crucial midterm elections scheduled for October 26, where Milei's party faces declining popularity amidst ongoing austerity measures and a recent electoral defeat in Buenos Aires provincial polls. Analysts suggest that the President's failure to build alliances with governors has impacted legislative support.