Despite numbers, Dems
are getting things done

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. and U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz acknowledge that the Democratic-controlled Congress is getting low public approval numbers — 15 percent say it’s doing a good or excellent job, according to Rasmussen Reports — but insist that the party is doing good things for America.
One of those things, they say, is pushing for a massive expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 265-159 and the Senate, 67-29.
However, President George W. Bush vetoed the bill, saying it is too costly.
The Senate will have enough votes to override a veto, but the House, so far, is a little short of the 290, or two-thirds, votes necessary to override.
Casey, who joined Schwartz last week in a visit with the Times editorial board, described the CHIP legislation as fiscally responsible because it’s paid for with an increase in the federal cigarette tax.
"It’s a great investment," he said.
Schwartz was one of the leaders who created Pennsylvania’s version of the program when she was a member of the state Senate.
"CHIP’s been so successful," she said.
Bush, too, likes the program. Since taking office in 2001, 2 million children have been added to CHIP. In his Oct. 3 veto letter, Bush notes that he supports a 20-percent funding increase over five years.
The president wants to add $5 billion to the program over five years while Democrats would direct $35 billion.
"What the difference is, how much are you going to commit to the program," Casey said.
While Medicaid covers the nation’s poorest people, CHIP provides insurance for children whose families don’t qualify for Medicaid. The president believes the congressional measure is too generous because it would move some children off private insurance rolls onto the government plan.
At present, there are about 6.6 million children on CHIP. Supporters of the bill want to increase that number to about 10 million. In Pennsylvania, the figure would rise from 165,000 to 305,000.
Even if the Democratic bill becomes law, it would leave 5 million children uninsured.
A Rasmussen survey shows that, by a margin of 57 percent to 31 percent, the public opposes a veto.
In his Oct. 6 radio address, Bush indicated that he is willing to compromise and increase his proposed funding.
The House of Representatives is expected to try to override the veto on Thursday, Oct. 18.
Schwartz said CHIP is great for a typical Northeast family that struggles to pay child-care and energy costs and make mortgage and car payments.
"It’s really hard to find that money to lay out for health care," she said.
Casey and Schwartz are trying to convince the public that, despite the low approval numbers, Democrats in Congress are getting things done. They cite bills increasing the minimum wage, calling on the government to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and lowering the interest rate for student loans.
During the rest of their term, Democrats will focus on increasing health-care coverage for veterans, ending the practice of predatory lending and changing the direction of the war in Iraq.
The lawmakers believe the public is giving low marks to Congress because of the ongoing war.
"People are frustrated and angry," Casey said.
Casey said Bush had his way with war policy when Republicans controlled Congress. Now, Democrats, while not successful in reversing Bush’s strategy, have convinced the president to talk about redeployment and changing course. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com