After two vetoes by former President Bush, the Senate today passed a bill reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), 66-32. 9 Republicans joined all 57 Democrats. Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), a prime author of the 12-year-old program, did not vote due to illness. President Barack Obama supports the bill.
Senate Democrats easily beat back all Republican amendments to the bill. The only GOP sponsored amendment that came even close to passage was an amendment offered by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), which required that states insure 80 percent of children living below 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) in order to receive funds to subsidize children living 300 percent above the FPL. The Murkowski amendment failed, 51-47, with all 41 Republicans and six Democrats crossing party lines.
Folks, what a difference a new Congress makes! This bill is more generous than the bills Pres. Bush vetoed, and it could only have been done with large House and Senate majorities. It's so exciting to click on a Senate vote, and see new members like Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who both have the potential to be real stars in the Senate, beat back Republican amendments that Democrats couldn't do last Congress.