Republicans Push Reid, Pelosi for SCHIP Negotiations
Will Democrats Deal or Continue to Play Political Games?
By Bluey Posted in Congress — Comments (6) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Congressional Republicans today asked Democrat leaders Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to reopen negotiations on SCHIP, a significant step that puts the ball back in the Democrats' court before a veto override vote next Thursday.
The most persuasive plea came from moderate Republicans, led by Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio). Twenty-eight GOP members who voted in favor of the $35-billion expansion wrote to Reid and Pelosi in hopes of reducing the partisan rhetoric and finding a solution. (Click here to read the letter.)
House Republicans were not afforded an opportunity to amend the legislation, let alone substantial time to debate its content. Even so, we voted for the largely Senate-drafted legislation as a reasonable extension of an important program to serve low-income children. We did so knowing full well that many Members in our Conference and the President had concerns regarding the size and scope of the bill, and that the White House was certain to veto the legislation. We voted in support of the program, but also to move the process forward, in a timely fashion, toward a resolution that can become law. Instead, we have seen further delay while rhetorical, partisan lines are drawn in the sand.
The other pleas came from conservative Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and John Cornyn (R-Tex.). Kyl called on Democrats to come to the table to talk. Otherwise, he said they would be acknowledging they're using SCHIP for political gain. (Liberals are already targeting nearly two dozen Republicans in campaign-like attack ads.) Cornyn, who faces a re-election fight next year, said he's open to a "reasonable, bipartisan solution" to avoid a confrontation.
I am troubled by the appearance that your refusal to negotiate is motivated more by partisan politics, with an eye toward next year’s election, instead of a sincere desire to reach a bipartisan compromise that will help America’s low-income children. I sincerely hope that is not the case.
The longer this issue lingers, the clearer it becomes that Democrats have no intention to find a solution. Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are having too much fun playing political games and pandering to their base.
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Republicans Push Reid, Pelosi for SCHIP Negotiations 6 Comments (0 topical, 6 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Qualified under the old SCHIP. Had they worked to extend it rather than the impossible expansion stunt they pulled, Bush would have signed it.
They can blame the Republicans all they want but the Democrats' overreaching is the root cause of much of their problems with legislation, but, it's oh so much easier to blame the Republicans, isn't it?
So the dems are playing politics with the health and welfare of our nation's poorest children? For nothing more than thier own political gain?
gee. i'm shocked. who could've seen that coming?
If they want to go for the all or nothing, and try to override the veto, let them.
Let them drive SCHIP right off the cliff.
My thoughts exactly.
Whoever thought a Democratic Congress might be the best way to get rid of government programs?!
I have no doubt that the Democrats are playing a political game. I still hope that they don't compromise and it gets votoed. SCHIP is horrible and any 'compromise' the moderates reach with the dems isn't going to be much better.
-exits