As reported yesterday, the House passed a bill expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), similar to the bills that President Bush rejected last year (twice, as I recall).
Though I have not relinquished my fiscally conservative tendencies, I believe this latest House vote on SCHIP was the right thing to do. In fact, of all the types of programs funded by the feds in this country, this one is among my favorites — in part because of its primary beneficiaries; in part because (from what I understand of its mechanics) the program is generally “federalist” in its design, i.e., it empowers the states (those “laboratories of democracy,” those governments who operate close to the people) to make many of the implementation decisions.
Forty Republican members of Congress (listed below the fold) agreed with the merits of expanding this program. While those 40 are apparently fewer in number than the tally of R’s who voted for the similar bills in 2008, they are still worth recognizing.
Granted, 33 of the 40 were from “Blue states” (voted for Obama in November) — so you might chalk up those votes as purely political in nature; i.e., these R’s will need something to point to, to get re-elected in 2010 in D-leaning states. (Potential case in point: Rep. Mark Kirk from Illinois’ 10th Congressional District, who has voiced an interest in running for Obama’s vacated Senate seat, whenever that seat is next up for election.)
Now, it’s probably not fair to say every one of these 33 Blue-state R’s voted on SCHIP for cynical political reasons, but if they did, it makes the votes of the seven yes-votes from “red state” R’s even more impressive. Sure, some of these red-state R’s might be running in districts that lean blue. But that’s clearly not true for all of them. Take Jo Ann Emerson, for instance. She hails from Missouri’s heavily conservative 8th district, most (if not all) of which voted 60-percent-plus for McCain in November.
Regardless of their reasons for this vote — no matter how much they voted for reasons of conscience or politics — these Republicans deserve the thanks of every voter (R or D) who thinks the SCHIP expansion is a good idea.
In particular: If you’re one of those voters who frequently bemoans the fact that the GOP seems to have grown increasingly mean-spirited of late — that its elected members are increasingly hard-right, non-compromising ideologues — you should take time to scan the list of 40 after the jump, see if your Member of Congress is on that list, and if so, contact his or her office to voice your approval.
Of course, you might despise these politicos for one or more reasons. But on this vote, they deserve to hear your praise. And who knows? Your voice might just encourage them to cross the partisan divide more often. Your voice might just be one in a larger chorus that eventually helps them, and their party, reconnect with a “big tent” philosophy.
And no, you cannot have some of what I’m smoking. But whether or not I’m high — on naive dreams or something else — let’s face it: Moderation has to start somewhere, and it’s often achieved one renegade voice at a time. So go ahead: Be a renegade and take a second, if you see a fellow renegade from your Congressional district on the following list, to thank him or her. I promise it won’t hurt.
THE 40 R’s VOTING FOR SCHIP EXPANSION
Listed alphabetically, by state, and by last name within each state
Don Young (AK)
Mike Rogers (AL-3)
Mary Bono Mack (CA-45)
Michael Castle (DE)
Vern Buchanan (FL-13)
Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21)
Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18)
Bill Young (FL-10)
Mike Simpson (ID-2)
Mark Kirk (IL-10)
Jerry Moran (KS-1)
Joseph Cao (LA-2)
Vernon Ehlers (MI-3)
Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11)
Candice Miller (MI-10)
Fred Upton (MI-6)
Erik Paulsen (MN-3)
Jo Ann Emerson (MO-8)
Dennis Rehberg (MT)
Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11)
Leonard Lance (NJ-7)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2)
Chris Smith (NJ-4)
Pete King (NY-3)
Christopher Lee (NY-26)
John McHugh (NY-23)
Steve Austria (OH-7)
Steven LaTourette (OH-14)
Pat Tiberi (OH-12)
Michael Turner (OH-3)
Charles Dent (PA-15)
Jim Gerlach (PA-6)
Tim Murphy (PA-18)
Todd Platts (PA-19)
Glenn Thompson (PA-5)
Frank Wolf (VA-10)
David Reichert (WA-8)
Thomas Petri (WI-6)
Shelley Moore Capito (WV-2)
SOURCES
Thomas/Library of Congress
U.S. House of Representatives Web Site