Democrats put politics before children

By: REP. DARRELL ISSA - Commentary: | Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:52 PM PDT ∞

As Southern California burned last week, Democrats decided to play hardball politics with children's health care. With seven California Republican congressman leaving Washington to deal with fires in our districts, Democrats unveiled the secret, revised version of their failed State Children's Health Insurance Program government health care expansion plan and, one day later, placed it on the House floor for a vote.

Thirteen California Republicans, myself included, asked the Democratic leadership to postpone the last-minute vote on the new SCHIP bill until the following week, but were rebuffed.

"I don't believe they're going out there to fight the fire," said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., in pointedly dismissing the request to postpone the vote.Ý"I made it clear that we have an agenda to accomplish," he said on the House floor.

What Hoyer didn't bother to mention in explaining his rush to vote was that Democrats had waited more than three weeks -- since President Bush had vetoed the original bill -- to bring this new proposal to the House floor. During this time, attack ads by Democratic front groups targeted Republicans with tough re-election campaigns for their SCHIP vote.

"Bringing the bill up today, with no time to even read it, is either a terrible mistake or an intentional partisan maneuver," critiqued Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.), a supporter of the Democratic SCHIP proposal.

Rep. Thelma Drake, R-Va., alluded to the television attack ads targeting Republicans when she stated that it appeared Democrats would not postpone the vote "because the ads had already been bought."

"They spent $1.5 million through their various shill outreach groups attacking me and a handful of my colleagues," said Rep. Ric Keller, R-Fla. "But they did not spend five minutes to approach me to ask for my vote."

While millions of poor and truly needy children remain uninsured, Democrats, through their SCHIP proposals, remain focused on milking what they perceive to be a winning political strategy and expanding government-controlled health care to wealthier Americans. The flawed Democratic proposal creates an incentive for middle-class families to drop existing private health coverage and takes away tax dollars that should be used to enroll more children who are already eligible, but not enrolled, in SCHIP.

Republicans have proposed an alternative focusing federal aid on the poorest families, those who make up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level -- a little more than $40,000 in California.Ý

Families making between 200 percent to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, would be entitled to a $1,400 tax credit for all children with health insurance. This incentive would help middle-class families better afford health insurance while eliminating incentives to drop private health insurance and enroll in a government welfare program.

There is widespread and bipartisan support for continuing the successful SCHIP program. If the Democratic leadership cares about insuring poor children and rewarding middle-class families who buy health insurance for their children more than they do about expanding government-run health care and using children as a political weapon, they should work with Republicans to pass a truly bipartisan SCHIP renewal.

Still reeling from their failure to please the left-wing anti-war base, the current Congress has demonstrated an absolute phobia of working with Republicans on an agenda to solve problems Americans care about. Renewing the SCHIP program, making health care more affordable, and election promises to work in a bipartisan manner are among the casualties of this new Congress.

-- Rep. Darrell Issa represents the 49th Congressional District, which includes Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and Sun City.

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John wrote on Oct 30, 2007 9:08 PM:What a mean snippy partisan rant. Nobody cares if you came to pose for the cameras and I don't appreciate you palying politics with the fire. We want results in DC. Stay there and get your darned job done Darrell!!

Conned-stituents wrote on Oct 30, 2007 9:25 PM:Hey big D - Who the heck do you represent? We are tired of being spun on health care by fat cat politicos. The fact is, most voting middle class families are struggling with health costs. While you fritter our money away in Iraq, we could use some help here at home. How 'bout you let us have the same government paid medical insurance you get?

Boo-hoo wrote on Oct 30, 2007 9:31 PM:Halloween tricks, screams and popcorn flatulence from the dark side. Boo-hoo! It's so tough to be in the minority party. Boo-hoo! The democrats are scary boogie-men! Boo-hoo! Don't open the door. Don't treat any kids to health insurance... Get used to the small office Mr. Issa. Your party is candy corn.

Reason wrote on Oct 31, 2007 12:54 AM:The poison remarks against Issa are puerile and demean the writers. Grow up.

Randy wrote on Oct 31, 2007 3:11 AM:This commentary should have been titled, "Republican Issa puts politics before children."

Judy wrote on Oct 31, 2007 3:19 AM:When President Bush vetoed health care for millions of children (HR976), U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, had a choice to stand with the president or stand up for kids and family members of wounded/injured returned soldiers back home. Yes! Sec. 622 of the Children's Health Care Bill would have given six months of job protection to working spouses of wounded/injured returning soldiers. Rep. Issa was one of just a few votes blocking Congress from overriding Bush's veto. As a result, millions of kids, and untold numbers of military families, could suffer. Evidently, Rep. Issa is not aware of the fact that, at present, one out of five working spouses of returned wounded/injured soldiers have lost their job in the process of caring for a recovering mate. This isn't a Republican or Democratic issue. A recent CBS poll shows that eight out of every 10 Americans support the children's health care bill passed by the Democratic Congress -- including an overwhelming majority of Republican voters! Why is Rep. Issa so out of touch?

Taxpayers wrote on Oct 31, 2007 5:30 AM:The 3 people that bloggeed on this commentary first should take time to read the bill. It does exactly what "big D" describes, that is it expands coverage to families that already have medical insurance at an even higher cost per child then is already being paid. The difference is it would become a taxpayer burden that would force our taxes to be raised to cover the cost. I urge you to take time to become familiar on this issue. If you do, you will discover that this is just another attempt to buy votes with a plan that is broken before it gets started.

TOVR wrote on Oct 31, 2007 8:10 AM:Why are the republicans so afraid that are children will be healthy? They care only for the fetus but forget the child.

Both sides need to talk wrote on Oct 31, 2007 8:22 AM:Both republicans and democrats are using childrens' health care as a political football. The proposed bill is much too expensive, and has as its aim the goal to expand governement-provided health insurance to 10 million children, including those solidly in the middle class who may now have private health insurance. The republican counter-proposal is just not enough to continue to cover those kids who really need coverage (this program was created by republicans). Both sides need to sit down and work through their differences, or kids really will start to suffer, as it takes months for the funding to work its way into the system. Please work with those across the aisle Mr. Issa, and solve this funding problem.

Taxpayer 2 wrote on Oct 31, 2007 8:29 AM:I like the first 3 posts! And I'm tired of my tax money funding the war in Iraq while we neglect our children at home. I pay PLENTY of taxes, and I want MY tax dollars spent to help Americans first - not to expand the empire. American children deserve more from Issa.

Reasonable alternative wrote on Oct 31, 2007 8:31 AM:Get real. The poison remarks by Issa are puerile and demean the writer.

Cal wrote on Oct 31, 2007 8:33 AM:I note that this piece did not make it into the print edition of the Vista paper today. I suspect that is because it wasn't worthy of the ink and paper. I$$A is out of touch with his district - but he is joined at the hip with his ba$e.

1000 words wrote on Oct 31, 2007 8:39 AM:This cartoon published in the NCT really says it all. Rep. I$$A has voted to expand drugs for seniors, but won't give coverage to kids. That's as cold blooded as a reptile. http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/08/06/opinion/cartoon/local/local08062007.txt

2 Randy wrote on Oct 31, 2007 8:40 AM:How about... Issa puts War Funding ahead of children.

Issodumb wrote on Oct 31, 2007 9:28 AM:The title should have been Democrats put children before politics. Issa you put politics before children. You care less about healthy children and more about supporting your buddies in prison or the money you make from the neo cons.

Consider the source wrote on Oct 31, 2007 9:42 AM:'nuff said?

Rob wrote on Oct 31, 2007 10:34 AM:Give me a break. I'm so sick of Republicans whining whenever Democrats show a spine. You're willing to shell out hundreds of billions for defense contractors, but $7 billion a year for five years to provide more health coverage to children? Oh that's just wasteful spending you tell us. Yeah, you're a real credible voice for fiscal responsibility.

Cardiff wrote on Oct 31, 2007 11:40 AM:Health care for lower income families paid for by a cigarette tax. It's such a no brainer! The cost of this program is so low and the benefits so great, it is shameful to vote agaist it. "The proposed bill is too expensive"!? Compared to what? What is the right amount to spend? As a country, how much do we value our children? Is $10 billion enough? $100 billion? Oh - is the cigarette tax too high? It's just a fear of goverment programs. Programs that actually work and are more efficient than the private boondoggle Issa wants as an alternative. It's the kids! Duh. Swallow your pride and stand up for your constituents. Vote for it.

OceansideKos wrote on Oct 31, 2007 1:59 PM:What is really disgusting about Mr. Issa is his two-faced persona. He comes on Bill Maher's show and pretends to be cool and reasonable, but watch him in any of the Congressional hearings where he sits, whining and snipping and never asking anything just making congratulatory and sycophantic statements about whatever corrupt Bushco or Blackwater stooge is sitting in front of him. Disgusting. Please - we need different representation in the 49th.

Willie wrote on Oct 31, 2007 3:19 PM:A repugnant opinion piece from a repugnant politician. Let's send someone to congress with a moral compass.

John wrote on Oct 31, 2007 3:37 PM:Is anyone going to challenge Issa in 2008? He needs to compete for his seat. Now he's unmotivated and detached from the needs of his constituents. I don't see how a partisan conservative can possibly serve the interests of North County in a Democratic controlled house of reps, senate and presidency. We really need a rep that can play WITH the new team in town - instead of a right fielder who wants to cover to far right parking lot. And if you're going to play loyal opposition Mr. Issa - please pick on someone your own size.

Sunny wrote on Oct 31, 2007 3:50 PM:More Bull SCHIP from Issa.

Great Pumpkin wrote on Oct 31, 2007 3:52 PM:Happy Halloween mr. Issa. Here's a rock.

Nick wrote on Oct 31, 2007 4:57 PM:I can't type, because I'm falling out of my chair laughing at all the whiney democrats......LOL. You guys want some cheese with that? The Dems sure like to sling it, but they sure can't take it.

What a hoot! wrote on Oct 31, 2007 5:44 PM:Geeez Nick - Issa was slinging it out first. He's angry and in defense mode because the Democrats have caught the Republicans passing out poison at Halloween. The whole opinion piece from Issa is a whiney rant. Glad you are amused by the opposition. We are amused by you as well. Nothing quite as funny as an elephant in a clown suite doing stand-up blogging. If you were a Democrat I would say you make a fine donkey :-)

Ollie wrote on Oct 31, 2007 5:50 PM:Oh please Nick - No free lunch. Don't give the democrats cheese with their whines... LOL. That's so welfare-state! Make them pay for their own cheese and children please.

TOVR wrote on Oct 31, 2007 6:19 PM:It's a trick from Issa. Remember when your parents had to look through your candy at Halloween to check for bad stuff...well that is all that Issa dishes out...bad stuff. Time to elect someone who cares and has a brain.

Nick wrote on Nov 1, 2007 8:06 AM:Oh yeah, that's right, only the Dems are intelligent enough to get anything done in this Country. The past Dem Presidents are the best and every Rep in office have always done a lousy job. I have no problem saying that there have been a lot of loust Rep leaders, but that goes for both sides of the fence. Democrats are a bunch of whiners becuase they refuse to admit that leaders in their party have done just as bad a job as other Republicans have. That is the difference. It has nothing to do with politlical party, but the fact that they are politicians, PERIOD!

Weasaw wrote on Nov 10, 2007 6:23 AM:Bills that support health care for illegals should not be passed. Bills that rely on cigarette taxes to pay for them should not be passed. Where is the money going to come from when they revenue continues to shrink from cigarettes? It will come back to every one of you. Perhaps a tax on ice cream, junk food, chips, cookies, candy, soft drinks would be more in order. After all there are more over weight people indulging themselves and suffering from health problems than smokers. At least the revenue would last longer.

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