Roll call: The latest S-CHIP vote
Thought you’d like to see the Senate roll call vote on S-CHIP last night, which sets up yet another showdown with President Bush over the massive entitlement expansion proposal:
The Senate acted after the bill was approved by House of Representatives last week in a 265-142 vote that was short of the two-thirds majority needed to overturn a veto by Bush.
Bush vetoed an earlier version of the bill that the House last month failed to override.
The bill would provide $60 billion in funding for the program over five years, compared with the current $25 billion five-year funding level. The tobacco tax increase, raising the tax on cigarettes by 61 cents to $1 per pack, would cover the added cost. Backers of the bill, including Sen. Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, say current funding levels and Bush’s budget request for $5 billion more are not enough to continue coverage for all of the 6.6 million children currently enrolled.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, had hoped to delay the vote to give the bill’s supporters more time to negotiate a deal that would assuage Republican concerns and provide a veto-proof majority in Congress. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky objected to a request by Reid for a one-week delay…
…Reid accused Republicans opposed to the legislation of standing in the way of reaching a veto-proof bipartisan deal. “Whether it’s the president making up phony excuse after phony excuse to oppose CHIP or Republican leaders repeatedly using procedural delays, it is obvious that there are some who will do anything to stand in the way of enacting this bill,” Reid said in a statement.
Negotiations are expected to continue but the procedural maneuverings are likely to delay final resolution.
Jim DeMint shows Harry Reid how to be a grown-up.
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Hi all just returned from my vacation this morning to catch up on world events. Glad to see both of my Senators voted against it. I’m really surprised “Happy Feet” Craig voted with the American taxpayer on this one he is usually in a big hurry to sell us out to illegal invaders.
Holy Carp!
Reids statements are rich. Que Michelle…Pot calling…
What’s up with Sununu?
Well if we could get more Dems to run for president the Republicans would once again have a majority in the Senate. It seems to always be the same Dems on the not voting list. Would want to have them take a stand would we? They just stir the pot and get their lackeys to do their dirty work.
“Congress shall make no law,” but they certainly love to spend other people’s money on ponzi schemes…
Obama didn’t vote? NO way!
So, let me understand this. The cost is to be funded by taxing cigarettes. Don’t they want all the smokers to quit? Well, if they want to fund this properly, I would think they would encourage smoking and open smoking bars/restaurants, etc. in order to help the smokers smoke. Seems to me that would be right. The more smoke, the more money in the pot. I guess if more quit, they would have to go somewhere else for money. Let me guess…the rich?Hey, rich smokers…you’re priceless to Democrats!
I wonder if anyone will hold his feet to the fire at some point about all of his non-votes?
It’s almost to the point of ridiculous.
These candidates - Obama in particular - seem to travel all over the country campaigning on change & decrying the problems of the country and the need for legislation ( like S-CHIP ), but aren’t at their jobs to vote on the legislation when it comes up.
Obama criticized Clinton in the last debate stating “I still don’t know where she stand on the issue” - well, Senator Obama, the same can be said for you every time you fail to cast a vote.
No surprise on tweedle dee and tweedle dum here in NJ.
Not one Dem was against this bill. Not one.
Interestingly, the Wisconsin legislature and Democratic Governor Doyle just enacted the new budget which increases taxes on cigarettes here by $1.00 per pack. If congress approves the S-Chip as is now proposed, raising taxes yet another dollar - that’s an additional $2.00 per pack.
I’m a smoker - but I can tell you that it won’t be for much longer if that happens.
Sure, that’s good for me - but what does that do for their funding of their programs?
If they’re not getting it from smokers - where will they rob it from next?
Right on the money there jrl, #8.
They talk a big game though dont they?
On behalf of the residents of Texas, I humbly apologize for inflicting RINO, Kay Bailey Hutchison on y’all. The good news is that she is not going to seek re-election. The bad news, for Texas, is that she now wants to run for governor. Votes like this one, though, are not going to help her chances.
It seems if you are running for the office of the POTUS and are a dimocrap - you do not vote on this issue.
How bout funding it with no pork for the next ten years. (no exceptions)
Stand alone Bills.
To all of you who think it’s silly to try to fund this with a stream of revenue which you are trying to shut down: You obviously don’t understand. To a liberal, every event in the world is disconnected from any and all other events. There are no consequences to actions. Truth is whatever you want it to be right this moment. Logic is such and antiquated concept.
I can’t believe that both of my senators here from Tennessee voted for this crap. I’ll get to vote as well. Corker has me PO’d. I expected crap like this from Alexander. I guess I need to give them a call and tell them not to expect any more money or votes from me. We sent Harold Ford Jr. packing, for what?
re #14 AJ: Don’t worry, I don’t think the religion of peace folk are real interested in pork either and the dems are working hard to ensure that the religion of peace becomes our national one in spite of that little document called the constitution.
You are right AJ - stand alone bills. I honestly think if we had a different kind of president…the president could just say - I’m vetoing anything and everything that isn’t a stand alone bill. Kinda funny how that would take away the necessity for a line item veto too
I would love nothing better than a POTUS with the intestinal fortitude to veto any bill with pork attached. We can only dream.
If S-Chip is so meritorious then it should be a stand along bill.
There is absolutely no reason to the tie s-chip expansion with funding with the war…none.
…oh wait.
What about the “children” who aren’t getting the healthcare that they “deserve” because Democrats aren’t content with 25 billion dollars over the next five years?
If they are so going to waltz into the WH in ‘08, why not take the 25 billion now and change it later? This should be back on the table by then.
Stand alone…goodness gracious.
I’m at least glad to see that my two senators here in NC did not vote for this crap.
I am just embarassed at how many of my colleagues and friends, that I otherwise consider intelligent drop comments about how we are voting against children’s healthcare and that Bush is stupid for vetoing it and doesn’t care. They just repeat talking points. And these are educated people whom I respect. It’s just demoralizing. :/
http://consentofthegoverned.wordpress.com/
I’m also from Texas. Kay Bailey Hutchison is getting trashed because of her last “yea” on this garbage. I can’t imagine what voices she’s listening to that are more important than the ones that actually vote. Governor Hutchison? yuk
So here’s what Obie’s been up to…
Lets say you smoke a carton a week, thats 20 a week in taxes that 1040 a year. Nice number to hit since it would make a nice itemized deduction for your 1040 form.
That kind of step increase would cost you up front but even if not a smoker dropped the habit the government could lose revenue total because it now become worthwhile to do the math and itemize.
They talk out one side of their mouth supporting abortion and on the other side of insurance for the children.
If the Republicans had a lick of sense they would amend the bill to fund it from an abortion tax.
Hey Kay Bailey Hutchison, here is another person who will never ever vote for you as Governor of Texas. Go peddle your pandering somewhere else.
Even if the amendment to the bill failed it would put the dems between a rock and a hard place because of them having to go on record of which is more important abortion or kids insurance. Wouldn’t be pretty for them at all.
After all they try to say all the time we want abortion safe and legal but rare.
So put your vote where your mouth is.
On November 2nd, 2007 at 10:43 am, kbiel said:
Dittos from this Texas resident as well.
At least Cornyn is thinking straight!
I would invite you all to move to South Carolina where Jim DeMint will represent you well but we need you to stay where you are so you can keep bugging those idiot senators that vote for junk like this.
Meanwhile, I’m happy here in SC. Even DesertLover is temporarily reaping the benefits of the slow life here. I enjoyed meeting him and having dinner.
I too will not vote for Kay Bailey Hutchinson again!
Interesting…
I just tried to call Sen. Hutchinson’s office, and got a message. It said normal hours are 8:30-6:00 Eastern time. It’s currently 4:03 here in the great state of Texas. You can’t even leave a message - it just hangs up after the voiceover.
Hmmm…perhaps they grew tired of dealing with
pissed offconcerned Texans! :o)You know its funny, if Clinton, Obama and Dodd had bothered to show up, they could have goten a veto-proof majority of 67.
That would be a good angle of attack. “DEMOCRATS DON’T CARE ABOUT CHILDREN’S HEALTH CARE! THEY FAILED TO CAST A VETO-PROOF VOTE!”