House showdown: The S-CHIP veto override vote; Update: Crazy Pete Stark accuses President Bush of blowing Iraqis and American troops up “for his amusement;” Update: 1:15pm Eastern Veto override fails;Update: MSM ignores Stark remarks
Update 3:20pm Eastern. See my new post on Pete StarkRavingMad. These people can’t contain themselves. And let’s stop the delusion that the Starks are the fringe. They are the center of the nutroots-i-fied Democrat Party.
Shocker! Not a word in the NYTimes coverage of the override vote failure about Stark’s remarks.
Nothing in the latest WaPo story, either!
Because, you know, Democrats debasing the president and dragging the debate into the sewer on the House floor is just not news.
Update 1:52pm Eastern. While the Dems continue Kiddie Kabuki Theater (”HEEELP THE CHILDREN! SUFFER THE CHILDREN!!”), the GOP moves forward.
As I noted last night, they’ll unveil their SCHIP alternative at 3pm Eastern today.
Update 1:15pm Eastern. The veto override fails, falls short of two-thirds majority, 273-156. The roll will be here.
FYI: You will be interested to know that Nancy Pelosi’s closing speech did not mention a single word about the Frost family.
Also: All the poster families the Democrats used as human shields remain covered by S-CHIP–just as they did before this vote and just as they did before the president’s veto.
Here’s the wire report on the override failure:
House Democrats failed Thursday to override President Bush’s veto of their pre-election year effort to expand a popular government health insurance program to cover 10 million children.
The bill had bipartisan support but the 273-156 roll call was 13 votes short of the two-thirds majority supporters needed to enact the bill into law despite Bush’s objections. The bill had passed the Senate with a bigger than two-thirds majority.
No mention of Pete Stark’s unhingedness.
Update Video of Stark Raving Mad:
Update 12:11pm Eastern. Oh, my Lord. Pete Stark is back on the floor ranting about us using billions of dollars to “kill innocent Iraqis, Iraqi children…We look at our shoes…we don’t want to talk about sending children to kill.”
GOP Rep. Hulshof points out that Stark did not support the original CHIP bill.
I wonder if Stark is looking at his shoes…
Update 11:57am Eastern. Rep. John Lewis sounds like he is going to collapse: “HEEELP THE CHILDREN! SUFFER THE CHILDREN!!” How embarrassing.
11:40am Eastern. Rahm Emanuel trots out another poster family…that is already covered by S-CHIP. Ed Morrissey is also liveblogging and also noted the same.
Update 11:26am Eastern. On the floor now…GOP Rep. Heather Wilson, who supports the entitlement expansion and is now one of the Dems’ favorite Republicans. New Mexico conservatives aren’t cheering.
Update 11:17am Eastern. Rep. Pete Stark starts blabbering about Republicans who don’t want to spend money on children, but instead want to spend it on “an illegal war” to be fought by children whom Republicans want to send to Iraq to “blow people up” and “get their heads blown up” for “his amusement.”
Stark: “Bush just likes to blow things up!!!”
Stark is reminded by his Democrat colleague “not to refer to the president in any personal way.” Fling those peas.
GOP Rep. Brady lambastes Rep. Stark. The man is a raving lunatic.
Dan Riehl wonders why the GOP didn’t fight back harder and smarter.
Update 11:14am Eastern. What does S-CHIP stand for? Rep. Steve King spells it out…
Update 10:58am Eastern. Here we go. Debate begins on HR 976. Rep. John Dingell insists the “bill is paid for.”
What’s he smoking?
Update 10:51am Eastern. Newly-elected Democrat Rep. Niki Tsongas has just been sworn in and she’s exulting in being there to cast her override vote on the S-CHIP expansion. Her husband, you may have forgotten, was one of the most outspoken critics of the entitlement crisis and gave out “Pander Bears” to politicians who refused to be honest about the looming fiscal disaster of the expanding social welfare state.
Those were the days.
Update 10:16am Eastern. House members are giving 1-minute speeches, which can be summed up thusly:
Bush hates children!
No, he doesn’t!
Head-counting taking place right now. Looks like the vote will take place around 12:30pm Eastern.
***
The House is in session now. I’ll be liveblogging the upcoming S-CHIP debate. You can watch the stream at C-Span’s website.
This morning’s AP dispatch reports the override is unlikely, with the Dems falling 15 votes short:
President Bush, anticipating that his veto of a $35 billion spending increase for children’s insurance will stand, has assigned three top advisers to try to negotiate a new deal with Congress.
Democrats appeared about 15 votes short in the House heading into Thursday’s attempt to override Bush’s veto of their $35 billion spending increase for the program. The president said his veto gives him a chance to weigh in on the future of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
“Sometimes the legislative branch wants to go on without the president, pass pieces of legislation and the president can then use the veto to make sure he’s a part of the process,” Bush said. Leading the discussions for his administration are Mike Leavitt, the health and human services secretary; Al Hubbard, director of the National Economic Council; and Jim Nussle, the White House budget chief. But supporters of the bill passed last month by Congress say they already have compromised. The House originally had proposed a $50 billion increase over five years.
The bill is bipartisan and the Senate has shown it could override a veto. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has replied with an emphatic “no” when asked if he would seek a compromise with the administration. Both the House and Senate have to override a veto for a bill to become law over a president’s objection.
Through the program, the government and the states subsidize the cost of health coverage for families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance. Bush has recommended a $5 billion increase, bringing total spending over five years to $30 billion — half the level called for in the bill that he vetoed.
In case you missed it last night, here’s the GOP alternative that will be introduced later today.
While we wait, here’s food for thought from Peter Suderman:
…the White House, and indeed, most Republicans in Congress, has decided to fall in line with the Democrats’ broad goals for the program, choosing only to make weak arguments about how much additional money ought to be spent. It’s no wonder the party is in such bad shape. When all Republicans have to offer is a watered down version of program backed by Democrats, it shouldn’t be a surprise when the public doesn’t bite.
Bush, by refusing to take a tough stand against the program entirely, has allowed Democrats to use “for the children!” as a cudgel to crush him in the press, and, as today’s vote shows, they’ve been more than willing to take every opportunity to hit him as hard as they can. As a result, the entire Republican party — not exactly strong at the start — has emerged from the debate bloody and bruised.
If this is a preview of what’s to come in the debate over national health care, it will be tempting for conservatives pick up their lawn chairs and go home. Who wants to watch their team make this many mistakes in both goals and strategy? Congressional Republicans have made some minor buzz about “re-branding” the GOP as the party of economic conservatism, and Bush has recently taken to speaking in front of an oversized banner that reads, in huge capital letters, “Fiscal Responsibility.” That sounds great, but brands and slogans aren’t worth much without action to back them up.
As long as fiscal responsibility remains a banner to hang over milquetoast policies, Republicans are likely to continue to fare as badly as they have on S-CHIP. It shouldn’t be this way, and it doesn’t have to. It’s time for GOP lawmakers to prove Democrats right and make Republican opposition to a program actually mean something.
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- Riehl World View
- Do Democrats Give a SCHIP About the Children? » Constitutionally Right
- Right Voices » Blog Archive » The SCHIP OVERIDE.. WILL IT HAPPEN?
- Captain's Quarters
- Don Surber » Blog Archive » SCHIP is a step to Hillarycare
- The SCHIP Veto Override Vote : The American Pundit
- Macsmind - Conservative Commentary and Common Sense
- Macsmind - Conservative Commentary and Common Sense
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: Rep. Pete Stark’s nutroots-flavored rant
- Ankle Biting Pundits » Blog Archive » Socialized Medicine Beaten Back At The Gates - Barely
- Bluey Blog | Robert B. Bluey » House Sustains Bush’s SCHIP Veto
- Balloon Juice
- Truth v. The Machine » Archives » House fails to override SCHIP veto
- Why Rep. Steve King is My Hero. « Memoirs From a Young Conservative
- Michelle Malkin » Stark raving mad
- Health Care BS
- JABbering Stooge :: S-CHIP veto stands - Dems to fold like lawn chairs :: October :: 2007
- Solomonia
- Iraq .::. The Current Truth About The Iraq War
- Michelle Malkin » Daily Kossacks + Pete Stark = Nutroots mutual admiration society
- Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) attends roundtable discussion in King of Prussia | Illegal Protest
- BizzyBlog » Couldn’t Help But Notice (101907)
- MSM yawns over moonbat rep’s remarks « Crush Liberalism
- The Daily Conservative
- Stark raving lunatic « The Foxhole
- This ain’t Hell, but you can see it from here » Stark raving lunatic
- Cao's Blog
- Michelle Malkin » GOP moves to censure Pete StarkRavingMad
- Michelle Malkin » Playing fire with S-CHIP; Update: Pete Stark takes the floor!
- RedOklahoma.org » Democrats Aim To Stimulate our Amygdalae
- Michelle Malkin » Another showdown in Congress
- Right Wing News Presents: The 40 Most Obnoxious Quotes of 2007 « BUUUUURRRRNING HOT
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Categories: Graeme Frost, Health care
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Oh! yes do it for the children unless, they aren’t quite born yet!
Victory today but then what? The Dems are not going to stop pushing their socialist agenda as long as they are in power. I don’t even use the term Liberal Democrats anymore. They are Socialist Democrats and willing to lie, cheat, and steal to have their way. They don’t even pretend to be something else anymore. The next set of elections will decide whether this country falls into socialist hysteria.
I still went through with the futile gesture of emailing my representative David Scott (D-GA) and urging him to vote against it. Unlike Jim Marshall (D-GA) who has voted against it, Mr Scott does not have the moral fortitude to do any such thing.
I say lets get it on………..
Unless we Republicans call it what it is - a push for Marxism - we will lose this battle. It’s not just this subject, either; they support the Fairness Doctrine, Hate Speech legislation, etc. etc. If your faith practices what they perceive to be “hate speech” and they have total control over both houses and the executive branch, what do you suppose will happen? First the tax-exempt status will be taken from your church, then your faith will be outlawed. It’s nighttime in America, and if we don’t grow some cajones and start calling them out, goodbye Democracy. I totally resent being called “heartless” (particularly by a millionaire has-been 60’s relic) because I’m fiscally responsible. I’m heartless because I don’t support Marxism?! We need to start calling them out. They always lose in the market of ideas. TAKE OFF THE GLOVES AND CALL THEM OUT!!!
Worst Congress evuh!
No legislative accomplishments to speak of, but they have a gullibly compliant media to do their bidding.
The scratch their heads in bewilderment why they have an 11% approval rating.
Here’s another point of view.
As a cigar smoker, I am concerned because this bill raise the tax on cigar astronomically. Possibly to the point where many small cigar shops will go out of business, treatening the entire cigar industry, which means many people in the Caribbean will lose their jobs.
Now, having said that, if people stop smoking cigars, S-CHIP doesn’t get their money. S-CHIP doesn’t get their money (which has already been promised to them), they have to raise taxes elsewhere.
Bottom line, this means higher taxes for all of us. And us cigar smokers still get screwed.
When they make decisions, that are going to effect a large number of American people, I have heard the number 10 million floated around. I don’t want them- the elected, supposedly intelligent, public servants, to decide this issue by how they FEEL. I very much would like it if they tried using their HEADS for a change. This Issue isn’t be presented in the MSM acurately the same MSM isn’t telling the American People, this is the “Cost” for expanding coverage, for people who can afford Insurance. The Democrats count on the American People, making decisions with their Emotions not their Intellect.
I saw someone on another blog suggest with total sarcasm that the way to fund SCHIP is to tax abortions.
As opposed to “Save the fetuses! Once they’re born, they’re on their own!”
It amazes me that more anti-choice people aren’t supporting the S-CHIP expansion. I mean, if a pregnant woman can’t afford a child, abortion is more likely. Yet many of the “pro-lifers” don’t want to provide these people with that safety net.
Doesn’t matter anyways. The veto override will fail and the Republicans will take a huge political hit. I’m ok with that (assuming the expansion passes in 2009…and that’s a pretty solid assumption).
God save the Republic.
I’m so tired of these dog-n-pony show power grabs at the expense of us - the tax payers. But this ridiculous attempt to further pilfer the public pocket points to a more disturbing pathology - if the government gives; it can take away. And we seem perfectly willing sheeple in that respect.
“Make us your slaves, but feed us.”
I’m gonna hurl.
That is the most misleading statistic. Congress as a whole is always incredibly unpopular. But the popularity for individual Reps and Senators is usually quite high. Congress is always the fault of some other district.
I am tired of hearing how “intelligent” the elected bodies in this country are … I would much rather vote for someone with good old fashioned “common sense” over “intelligence” any day of the week … but alas … there is no way the average citizen can get elected in this day and age, as was intended by the founding fathers, because it has become nothing but a money driven popularity contest … rather than putting someone in office to do the right thing for the people supposedly being represented we end up with more of these “intelligent” and gutless wonders with their own agendas that are driven by re-election rather than representation
BullS-CHIP!
The “safety net” is not what is being opposed. No one is proposing eliminating the program. The Democrats want to expand the program to get more Americans on the dole, thus dependant on elected Democrats. The issue is, where is the boundary on the “safety net”? Who is classified as needy and who isn’t?
Also, the term “anti-choice”. I suppose that makes you pro-infanticide-for personal-convinience, doesn’t it?
Pete Stark is an Ass. I am working from home today and listening to the speeches on the floor of the House and he just tried to make some moonbat statement about blowing up people in Iraq and relating it to SCHIP.
Good Kevin Brady (R-TX) is taking Stark to task!
That tremor you all felt at 10:51 am Eastern?
That was Paul spinning in his grave.
Yes, this is beyond deplorable, Stark’s words were :
“…the President sending young soldiers to Iraq to get their heads blown off for his own amusement.”
Brady from TX did a good job of rebuking him and the Chair gave Stark a small reprimand saying “….I would remind the members that the President shall not be referred to in a personal manner.”
Stark needs to lay off the red bull.
I dunno. A congress that does not enact new ways to control what I say/do/keep from my paychecks is a Congress I approve of…
My ears are bleeding.
I love how Stark is getting criticized (correctly), but King’s moronic sign is treated like a good debate point.
Like, adding enough buzzwords and weird attacks onto a piece of carboard…oh man, Democrats got BURNED!
They have CD’s now, you can upgrade those broken records.
I would change “Clinton style” to “Communist style” but I think it’s self-evident.
Notice the irony: legal immigrants, come here to escape communism & totalitarianism, and what do they find here but hard left pseudo-intellectual blowhards trying to give communism another chance.
Smack this outrageous socialist scheme down now. Send a loud and clear message.
Stark will hit the YouTube clips for sure.
Nice of the dems to provide 08 election campaign videos to slap them with.
bat guano!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, Stark is my representative (hangs head in shame) - I met him once when he was electioneering - told him since he didn’t believe in me(military vet), I didn’t believe in him
It is a sad day when a Congressional session can easily be mistaken for a Jerry Springer episode.
These Dems in congress need to be told the truth like that more often. I hope he was listening to you. Thanks for serving, and welcome home!
cpodug for Congress ‘08!!!
What a waste of time they know how their going to vote “just do it” before I hang myself.
Rahm is raising the strawman of guns v butter and cites an example of a person already covered by the program and refused to deal with the expansion which is at issue.
Rusty #12
Anyone that wants to see some of the historic results of Congressional polls can check the various polling companies and look at their archives of polls … the following link id to the congressional favorability polls since the 1974 …
Here’s the gallup poll link:
http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=1600
Some of the historically highest congressional approval ratings occurred during GWB’s first term …
Rubber stamped talking points continue to be thrown out by the left. Is it live or is it Memorex.
The Dems keep talking about standing with President Bush, trying to use that as a threat. How about standing with the American people who can see this boon doggle for what it is.
The Dems tie everything to either Bush or Iraq as if bringing the anti whatever sentiments is an argument.
What a suprise! Rahm Emmanuel is misrepresenting the debate, to emotionalize and demonize! I’m shocked, shocked that he would do such a thing to fellow Americans!
sarc off/
You mean after 9/11? Well, duh.
If Congress were really that unpopular, 11%, then Dems would surely be in danger of losing their majorities? That isn’t the case.
/scolded puppy dog look
The Dems are voting with the children and the Republicans are voting for (insert favorite horror movie villian here)
Now Dems are talking about the congress insurance program they have.
John Edwards would probably not want to talk about the two Americas like they are.
If all they can provide is examples of people already under the program but run from profiling any one who would be covered under the expansion they show the weakness of the proposals in the bill as structured.
ROFLMAO - Bravo Rep. King.
yeah jrl, that was great…
Riusty … cherry-picking again huh? … look at the whole chart I linked to … from the time the Republicans took over congress during the Clinton years the ratings have mainly been in the 40s and 50s … the ratings have nose dived in the last 18 months with the biggest drops being since the Dems took control again in 2007 …
similar results can be found at Zogby, Quinnipiac, Rasmussen and all the other major polling companies …
At least Dingle-ling has yielded his time and were not stuck with just him.
Here comes Reverend, er sorry Representative John Lewis (D-GA)
Well that was short and he couldn’t quite work up a tear to go with the trembling voice.
lol
If the Dems were smart they would have hired Ellen de’Boo hoo hoo.
Yeah, but then they’d have to change the name of the program to C-PHIP: The Celebrity Pet Health Insurance Program
Well, if President Bush is really that unpopular then he wouldn’t have gotten significantly more of the popular vote than Clinton did… twice!
Instead of playing speculation games like that can you cite a single source that shows people (aside from the Senators themselves) who think Congress is doing a good job?
C.R.A.P.
Canines Reprsented by Insurance Programs.
what the dems are throwing out is more like C-CHIPs … as in cow chips …
All,
This is from Representive Ken Calvert of California I am on his newsletter list. I am a co administrator of the Calvert Family Genealogy DNA project…no, I have not gotten him to participate, yes I have tried SMILE.
This is his postion on S-CHIP
http://calvert.houseenews.net/mail/util.cfm?gpiv=1999931701.76142.233&gen=1
lol dl,
Congress chips.
I’m no huge fan of Ellen DeGeneres, but if someone took my dog I’d react in much the same way, with the possible addition of some gunfire.
Disagree with her positions on various issues all you want, you can’t fault the woman for loving her dog.
that works as well aj
I dont james just teasing a lil.
Now for yet another example of a covered child as they retread their remarks showing how they indeed keep ducking the issues involved.
In Case Rep Ken Calvert (R) reads Michelle Malkin.
http://calvertgenealogy.net/
James Felix
Ellen’s issue is that she gave the dog away and apparently when she adopted the dog she signed some papers saying that if she wanted to get rid of the dog she had to return it to where she got it from … she tried to give the dog to some kids and apparently the animal organization went and took the dog from the kids … almost like a repossession action … she is trying to appeal to the organization to return the dog to the kids … not to her
Back to guns v butter by Green.
Still not wishing to address the issues.
Unless the Republicans make it possible for them?!!!!!!
SAY WHAT?!!!!
hurry the hell up and vote before I throw something at this computer screen … enough already … bunch of lying sacks of C-Chips …
Stark hit’s the tinfoil hat talking points again.
understatement
Barton just put it all out there on the table … good statements and some common sense there IMHO …
I heard t hat idiot Stark say that and I took my air pistol and blew air holes in the TV.
The guy needs to seek professional help from a Tibetan monk.
Stark again launches into tinfoil land.
Ignore the American people and their wishes…
It’s Bush’s fault. BDS, Gone Wild.
Stark is going to get chastised for his “out of order” comments!
What a MAROON!
I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.
He’s just called our men and women in the military “baby killers”.
I’d punch the guy in the face if I didn’t try to avoid getting any of that stuff on me…
After the first infraction by Stark the Republicans asked for action by the Dems and none was forthcoming.
Three strikes before they call him on it.
How sad.
Abortion is more likely because it is much easier than carrying the baby to term and giving it up for adoption.
There are options. Murder shouldn’t be the first one resorts to.
Try this organization for an example…
http://www.care-net.org/
I can live with some of their bullcrap, but not that. He should be run out of office on a rail.
They support the troops…if this is an example of their support, what does their neglect reflect?
Sounds like Pete Stark need to get a (wing) tip before he starts mouthing off. Didn’t even vote for it! Ha
The left side blogs are talking all about the political advantage they think they see for campaign strategy rather than the issue of the bill itself.
How typical.
I like what Boehner was saying but …good luck.
Uh Oh, the Monster is talking.
Pelosi all violins and no substance and political spin.
Pete Stark is a panty waste. And extremly arrogant. I was in the same building with him when I worked in Fremont, CA.
I hated riding with him in elevators because he never let the lady in first… so to begin with, the man has no manners (personal account) - 2years worth.
As far as far as his latest comment…. Seriously, take into consideration it comes from an ill mannered, HACK of a congressmen. Nuff said!
Is she medicated?
On behalf of those of us on the Left Coast who haven’t taken complete leave of their senses, I deeply and humbly apologize to everyone on this string - and everyone else, for that matter, for Pete Stark. While I have never voted for him, there are enough around me who have, apparently, to keep him in office. The inmates are officially running the asylum.
Bummer. The chastisement didn’t take.
not you feeb… lol
Someone was rude to Feebie?
And he’s still got us of both legs?
I’m impressed by your restraint, Ms Feebie…
Pelosi rubber stamps the covered children again and ignores the issue of the expansion.
cpo,
You have nothing to apologize for, several commenters are from Cal. and know the score. Keep you’re head high.
After the override vote on the S-CHIP monstrosity fails, how do you think the MoveOn type nutbags are going to spin this?
Here’s a clue.
They will say that it was never their intention to have this bill actually signed into law. The purpose of this bill was to “expose Republicans as evil haters of children”, and to get enough Republican Congressmen to cower in fear so as to separate them from their conservative base.
That being said, they will declare “victory”, as the bill will have accomplished exactly what they intended it to.
Can anyone tell me what the @$#%#% the Easter Seals and other such research and charitable organizations has to do with S-CHIP?
Bela Lugosi Pelosi … Speaker of the Vampires …
quick …
where’s the garlic, crosses and wooden stakes …
oh never mind kemo sabay … I forgot I have my silver bullets …
Pelosi sounds drunk or on something.
Pelosi talks the mantra of an already discredited seeBS loaded poll.
No surprises there.
Nancy Pelosi:
“Let me talk about Illegal Aliens.
This bill does not provide benefits to Illegal Aliens. That is the law of the land.”
Let me repeat:
“Illegal Aliens__do not__receive__benefits>”
What’s Nancy been smoking?
Please dl, shoot me.
Pelosi suffers from CBS … Complete B…ch Syndrome …
THANK GOODNESS!
Voting starts now. 15 minutes. Somebody put a watch on it.
The whole substance of Pelosi’s remarks is not about the merits of the bill, but doing the groundwork setup for the pure political positioning for tactical advantage rather than any concept of merits.
#81
Just wait until Cynthia M. gets in office. We had to keep her in solitary here!
Should be right at 10:10 or 1:10
The Kos kids cheer Stark , I am shocked /snark off
From the House debate on the override vote on Bush’s veto of SCHIP, Rep. Pete Stark kicks Bush’s a$$:
Of course the Stark commentary is not that far out of line from the AP story lamenting the fact that there are not enough troops fragging their Officers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The reality based community at work.