| Today, President Bush vetoed a bill that would have added 4 million children to the Children's Health Insurance Program. The bipartisan legislation had 18 Republican Senators signed on and was only one vote away from being veto proof in the House (more on that later).
43 Governors signed a letter sent to House and Senate leadership urging President Bush to sign the SCHIP bill. Sadly, Governor Perry is one of 7 Governors who doesn't think children need insurance either, and maybe that is why he was only elected 39% of the vote.
Another letter was sent directly to President Bush yesterday urging him to reconsider his veto. There isn't a link, but the copy of the letter is below.
The legislation passed by Congress last week represents a bipartisan consensus and is the solution to ensure states and the federal government meet our moral obligation to care for our youngest and most vulnerable Americans.
This bipartisan consensus bill provides states the opportunity to continue covering millions of currently insured children and allows states to address the growing number of uninsured children. The bill largely reflects the philosophy that state flexibility, as well as options and incentives for state performance, are preferable to mandates. Most importantly this bill represents a common-sense, bipartisan approach that will ensure that health coverage for millions of currently enrolled children is not jeopardized.
We are encouraged that Congress has prioritized children's health insurance coverage. We urge you to join the strong bipartisan consensus among Congress, governors, and the American public by signing this legislation into law.
This second letter was signed by:
Signing the letter were Govs. Janet Napolitano (AZ), Mike Beebe (AR), Bill Ritter (CO), Jodi Rell (CT), Ruth Ann Minner (DE), Rod Blagojevich (IL), Chet Culver (IA), Kathleen Sebelius (KS), Kathleen Blanco (LA), Martin O'Malley (MD), Deval Patrick (MA), Jennifer Granholm (MI), Brian Schweitzer (MT), John Lynch (NH), Jon Corzine (NJ), Bill Richardson (NM), Eliot Sptizer (NY), Mike Easley (NC), Ted Strickland (OH), Brad Henry (OK), Ed Rendell (PA), Ted Kulongoski (OR), Phil Bredesen (TN), Anibal Acevedo Vila (PR), Tim Kaine (VA), Jon Huntsman (UT), Chris Gregoire (WA), Joe Manchin (WV), Jim Doyle (WI).
Again, Perry's name is sadly missing.
CNN reports that a recent poll has 75% of Americans supporting Congress and the expansion of CHIP. Talk about out of touch.
Republican officials disappointed in every way. Bush vetoes a bipartisan bill. Perry says he disagrees with 43 Governors. John Cornyn voted against the SCHIP bill in the senate… twice. Worst of all, we were one vote away from making children a priority in the House. Since McCaul voted against the bill, I am going to go ahead and blame him.
Since Congressional officials like Mike McCaul and Junior Senator John Cornyn are up for re-election this cycle, there total lack of support is sad and confusing. Maybe it is time for them to sit in a room with the 4 million uninsured children and tell them why they don't need medical coverage. Maybe Rick Perry and the House and Senate leadership should tell Texans why families are not a priority for them but giving plush hand outs to donors are.
There are no excuses. There is no reason for this veto. There is no reason why our elected official sat on the sideline when we demanded leadership. There is no reason why they deserve our votes ever again. |
