Weekly Update (10/05/08)

Bush Callously Vetoes Healthcare Bill for Uninsured Children
President Bush has vetoed a bill which would have expanded the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and now Democrats in Congress are working to secure more votes and override this veto. Democrats supported this bill because it will bring healthcare to more uninsured children. DAPAC-endorsed Congressman Chris Van Hollen explained, “We will strengthen CHIP's financing, improve the quality of health care children receive, and increase health insurance coverage for low-income children.” Although opponents of the bill claim that it covers too many middle class families, in reality those families may be making $50,000 a year, and with a private insurance policy costing approximately $11,000 annually, healthcare is out of reach. Bush claims that the bill would lead to the “federalizing” of healthcare, and that the expansion would benefit too many middle income families.

Although many moderate Republicans are distancing themselves from Bush on this issue, the leading presidential contenders for the GOP – Giuiani, McCain, Thompson, and Romney – all support Bush's veto. Since 61% of GOP voters support the expansion of SCHIP, the Republican blockage of this bill shows just how out of touch Republican lawmakers are. This is just another reason why Democrats can expect more support in 2008.

For now, Democrats in the House need to find more votes for the bill, in order to override Bush. Democrats are adamant that they will fight Bush on this issue, and are not yet willing to compromise. Speaker Nancy Pelosi will not back down from the issue, and commented, “This legislation will haunt [Bush] again and again and again.”

House Passes Weak Iraq Bill
In another display of why more progressive Democrats are needed in Congress, the House passed a bill concerning Iraq that does little to ensure the war's end. After numerous stronger bills have been defeated by Bush and Republicans in Congress, the House passed this weak bill with a 377-46 vote.

The bill mandates that the Bush administration present a plan within two months for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. But the bill does not require that this plan actually be implemented, or that a specific timeline for withdrawal be laid out.

In order to get meaningful legislation on Iraq passed in the future, even when we have a Democratic president, we will need a real progressive Democratic majority in the House, not just the 75% of Democrats who are progressive, like we have now. It is DAPAC's job to get new Congress members in the House to achieve a real progressive majority, and all of DAPAC's endorsed candidates will vote to take immediate steps to end the war in Iraq when they are elected to Congress.

Poll: Democratic President Likely in 2008
An October 3rd ABC News/Washington Post poll presents a head-to-head presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani, with Democrats coming out on top. Clinton leads Giuliani, 51 percent to 43 percent. This poll also shows that Democratic support is growing, as just a few months ago Clinton's lead was much less significant at 49-47. Along with the poll last week showing greater approval for the Democratic party in general, compared to the GOP, this poll illustrates the advantage Democrats will have in 2008.