schip

Today, Rep. Larry Kissell missed the final vote on the SCHIP bill that sent it to the president for his signature. Instead of remaining in Washington to vote on a bill that certainly had sufficient votes to pass, Larry attended the memorial service of a soldier from Ft. Bragg who died in Iraq.

He wasn't protesting the funding of SCHIP. Knowing the bill would pass without his vote, he chose to be with the family of a fallen soldier to offer whatever solace he could.

I don't know Senator Hagan that well, but I remember the sound of her voice when she spoke after former Senator Dole questioned her faith. I don't think this quite reaches that level of fury, but she sure doesn't sound happy.

The AP report that U.S. banks increased their applications to hire foreign workers for high-paying jobs in positions such as senior vice presidents, corporate lawyers, junior investment analysts and human resources specialists, at the same time they were announcing massive layoffs, is a cause for concern. Based on the unfortunate layoffs we have seen week-after-week in the banking industry, it stands to reason that American banks should not have trouble finding experienced, well-qualified American workers.

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.

The Medicare vote in the Senate this week, highlighted by Ted Kennedy's triumphant return, was encouraging for proponents of universal health coverage. At least, that's how Paul Krugman sees it (and I agree):

North Carolina's own Elizabeth Edwards has teamed up with with MoveOn.Org and Emily’s List to promote electing more women to Congress.

In an email sent today, Elizabeth writes:

Health care is an issue that is really close to my heart. And I know it matters to a lot of Americans, particularly mothers. But time and again, Republicans have blocked progress on expanding health care—most recently the expansion of the children's health insurance program—and on so many other important issues.

That's why we need to elect more progressive women in Congress in 2008, to stand with President Obama on healthcare and other key issues.

The Progressive Pulse has more.

Elizabeth Dole was against expanding the State Children Health Insurance Program before she was for it.

Dole endangered the health of 123,000 North Carolina children when she voted six times this year against fully funding the program.

Last week, she was among 28 senators who sent a letter asking Senate leadership to expand SCHIP.

“Elizabeth Dole is playing election year politics with the health of our children,” said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek.

As expected, the veto override vote fell short. 13 votes short.

Robin Hayes must decide tomorrow if he wants to show his loyalty to President Bush or to North Carolina's 8th District.

The badly needed override of President Bush's veto against State Children's Health Insurance expansion goes to vote tomorrow. And as North Carolina Governor Mike Easley has said...

"We need this bill to serve North Carolina children currently eligible for the program," the governor says. "It is not for North Carolina adults, nor for children in families earning $80,000, nor illegal immigrants, nor for those with insurance right now. Those who make these claims are not telling the truth."