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October 03, 2007
Expected And Unexpected
As expected, President George W. Bush vetoed the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation today, which would have added $35 billion to the program and insured another 4 million American children. While expected, the veto was inexcusable, and of questionable political judgment.
Many Republicans support the program, which is overwhelmingly popular with the American public, and Bush's veto will force a number of GOP House members in competitive districts to cast another difficult vote on the issue later this month.
The Congress will reconsider the bill, and while there is a good chance of overriding the veto in the Senate, it is less likely that will happen in the House, where hard-line Republicans will try to prevent it. Still, Democrats in Congress will delay the override vote until October 18th, in hopes of building momentum for the program sufficient to peel off enough Republicans to overturn Bush's veto. (Incidentally, Texans may want to contact Senator John Cornyn, who has voted against SCHIP twice, and urge him to reconsider on the upcoming vote. Senator Hutchison supports the program.)
It's nice to see President Bush is living up to his "compassionate conservative" billing. Here's hoping the Congress sticks it to him on this one.
On a far less important, but politically interesting note, another Republican U.S. Senator is retiring. The popular, but increasingly controversial Pete Domenici of New Mexico, ihas decided to hang 'em up. He is 75 years old, in declining health, and has been at the center of controversy surrounding the firing of a U.S. Attorney in his state.
Domenici's retirement offers Democrats another golden pickup Senate opportunity for 2008. New Mexico is a swing state with a large Hispanic population. Declining national Republican fortunes, coupled with anger from Hispanics on the immigration issue, will give Democrats a better than even chance to pick up a seat here and expand their majority in the Senate. The magic number of 60 seats, while still a long shot, is starting to look possible.
Posted by houtopia at October 3, 2007 10:50 PM
Comments
Just another back door move to insure ILLEGAL ALIEN children. This kind of tactic has to be stopped along with any other such programs that rewards people who have broken our immigration laws. The Demosocialists continue to attempt shoving some type of bill down our throats that will benefit ILLEGAL ALIENS.
Posted by: EYES OF TEXAS at October 4, 2007 07:57 AM
EYES OF TEXAS -- This comment is so ridiculous I don't even know where to begin. Three words for you: read the law.
Posted by: houtopia at October 4, 2007 08:58 AM
Suppose it benefits illegal alies children.Do u think we must sacrifice the rest ? This first comment is the dumbest one I have ever heard in my life.This country in fact would be better off with a social- democracy instead of having a COMPANYPUBLIC as a nation.
Posted by: Roberto Soto at October 4, 2007 11:34 AM