Supporters Plan Lobbying Blitz to Override Veto of Child Health Care Bill

[babylonsister]

Supporters Plan Lobbying Blitz to Override Veto of Child Health Care Bill
By CQ Staff | 10:16 AM; Oct. 04, 2007

By Alex Wayne, CQ Staff

The House will wait until Oct. 18 to attempt to override President Bush’s veto of legislation to expand a children’s health insurance program, while Democrats and their allies work to make a “no” vote as politically unpalatable as possible for Republicans.

Democrats won a procedural vote Wednesday that allowed them to postpone the override vote. Labor unions, activists, religious groups and child advocates now have two weeks to hammer House Republican opponents with advertising, demonstrations, letter-writing campaigns and phone calls, in the hope of convincing some to change their position and vote for an override.

“This is a defining moment for this Congress and for a president who has labeled himself a compassionate conservative,” House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said in a floor speech. “The president’s veto, my colleagues, must not stand.”

The bill (HR 976), which Bush vetoed Wednesday, would expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $35 billion over the next five years, to $60 billion. The expansion, Democrats say, would provide health coverage to 10 million children whose families are low-income but not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid — about 4 million more than the program now covers.

Expanding the program has been a major priority for Democrats, who have talked of legislative measures to assist low-income and middle-class families stressed by stagnant wages, a deteriorating housing market and growing health care costs.

more...

http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/10/supporters_plan_lobbying_blitz.html

[Jim__]

1. I hope they plan their attack well.

There will definitely be a counter-campaign. But, I think the Dems start out in front; the people understand that out health-care system doesn't work.

[riqster]

2. It's about time we took the gloves off. nt