Breaking News - Bush vetoes SCHIP

Many TBV readers have probably been paying at least minimal attention to the progress of the bill refunding and expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program, more popularly known as SCHIP, through both houses of Congress. Well, today, less than an hour ago, The Current Resident did just what he promised to do and veto'd the bill.

This puts the guy in direct mano a mano combat with the entire Senate and much of the House. This is a veto that Congress has a really good chance to override. Only a handful of House Republican votes will be needed for said override. Congress plans to put off the override vote for as long as possible, in order to put more pressure on those Republicans. If you'd like to be a part of the pressure, - and why wouldn't you? - here is one of the many ways you can do it. If yours is one of those Republican representatives on the fence on this issue, someone like Mike Castle of DE, say for instance, a guy who could easily be persuaded to vote with the Democrats, as he often does, TrueMajorityAction.org has a way for you to let your rep have a piece of your mind.

My own Republican rep, the notorious Heather Wilson, has been running TV ads featuring her support for SCHIP, as only makes sense in New Mexico, a state with a tremendous poverty problem, and tons of uninsured kids. You can check out Wilson speaking in Congress on this issue, here on her government website. Click on "Rep. Wilson speaks on children's health insurance" to hear her input. If Heather can stand up against her buddy the (P)resident, surely we can persuade enough other Republicans to do the same. Let's give it a shot.

P.S. Here's a good site for information on both the bill, the need for the bill, things you can do, etc. Families USA: The Voice for Health Care Consumers

Technorati Tags: Bush, Congress, Heather Wilson, SCHIP, veto

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