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Kay Hagan Speaks in Support of SCHIP & NC Workers
Submitted by Betsy Muse on Wed, 01/28/2009 - 9:45pm
Kay Hagan spoke on the floor of the Senate in support of the Children's Health Insurance Program and workers in North Carolina's tobacco industry.
Less than a month into my service here in the U.S. Senate, I’m faced with a situation in which the health of millions of my state’s children are at odds with a key industry in North Carolina. But Mr. President, ultimately, I have to vote on behalf of the 10 million low-income and disadvantaged children this bill helps. In this economy, when families are being forced to choose between paying their bills and putting food on their table, I cannot make it harder for them to keep their children healthy, safe and cared-for. I cast this vote in the affirmative as a mother, as a former budget chairman for the state of North Carolina, who knows how difficult it is for the state to close the gap in funding for this critical program when the federal government drops the ball, and as a U.S. Senator, who sees in this bill a chance for our neediest families, our most disadvantaged kids to get ahead in the face of the daunting odds they will no doubt face in their future.
After expressing her support for the bill before the Senate and her dismay that the source of funding the bill is so unfair to workers in North Carolina, Hagan was praised by Senator Max Baucus for her willingness to put the health needs of 10 million children first.
In her speech Hagan also mentioned her cosponsorship of the Webb amendment that should be debated and voted on in the Senate on Thursday. The text of that amendment isn't available online. I'll have it as soon as I can get my hands on it. Hagan's actions hint at a freshman Senator who has wasted no time digging in and making things happen.
In comparison, Hagan's predecessor, Elizabeth Dole voted against SCHIP several times in 2007. Like Hagan, she claimed that the funding would damage the tobacco industry in North Carolina. Unlike Hagan, Dole chose to put one industry ahead of 10 million children.
Unlike Dole, Hagan chose to work with fellow senators to find a way to fund the program without putting undue strain on one industry located primarily in just a handful of states.
I was very proud of our junior senator as I heard her speak
She was planted firmly between a rock and a hard place and she handled it beautifully - as was recognized by Senator Baucus.
Sorry for the glitches in the video. CSPAN2 had some glitches throughout the day.
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Currently lacking a witty signature.
As many of you know
I was not originally a supporter of Kay Hagan. I was suspicious of the manner of her entry into the race, and felt like she was "politics as usual". I voted for her because I would have voted for almost anyone who had run against Liddy Dole.
Senator Hagan has wasted no time in showing me that my vote was worth something. I'm very impressed with her so far.
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My darling girl, when will you understand that 'normal' is not necessarily a virtue. It rather denotes a lack of courage. Alice Hoffman
ditto.
That sums it up, doesn't it?
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
meanwhile
Shuler voted against the stimulus.
"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." -Voltaire
A step too far?
What possible motive could he have for voting against the stimulus? It was a lousy bill, but it was lousy because it was watered down to appease "moderates" like him.
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
Shuler doesn't seem all that smart, honestly
I suppose "smart" isn't a prerequisite for anything, but this guy doesn't appear to be the sharpest knife in the drawer.
He's effectively saying that the risk of having a spectacular Second Great Depression doesn't bother him enough to compromise on taking action, even if that something isn't perfect. He really needs to stop sending me fundraising letters.
Shuler continues to disappoint
Given his many failures (and I'll have to go back and examine his record more closely) but a pattern does seem to emerge that he is less of a Blue Dog and may be more of a reliable Repub vote. The Buncombe County I was raised in (although that was a few decades ago) was solidly and unapologetically Democratic; no nods to Repubs necessary. It seems to be trending that way again.
Perhaps Heath didn't get the memo. Now's the time to start scouting for a real Democrat to warm Heath's seat -- and to let him know it.
A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.
Mohandas Gandhi
Back to Kay Hagan
She's doing a great job and I'd love for us to talk about her in this thread.
You're welcome to start a thread on Heath Shuler. Thanks.
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Currently lacking a witty signature.