Kucinich “No” Vote on S-CHIP Sparks Netroots Reaction
In the recent S-CHIP reauthorization, several Democrats voted against the bill in the U.S. House, prompting liberal blogger Matt Stoller to post an update on the “Bush Dogs” and the vote.
Also listed in the post, separate from the Bush Dog pack, was Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Cleveland, Ohio). Stoller wrote:
I’m glad Kucinich is getting a primary challenger. His time is over.
It sparked some reactions in the comments and elsewhere.
I don’t agree with his vote, but apparently now Dennis Kucinich is not progressive enough and must be challenged in a primary. Because he voted against the bill because it was not liberal enough. Dennis Kucinich.
Yes, that Dennis Kucinich. If Dennis Kucinich ain’t pure enough for these liberal purity purges, these folks are going to end up with a really, really, really small Democratic party.
Kucinich’s vote did not prevent the passing of the S-CHIP reauthorization, so this allowed Kucinich to vote in protest of the Democratic leadership’s yanking of the ICHIA provision. (ICHIA would have made legal immigrants and pregnant women eligible for health services.)
“I cannot support legislation which extends health coverage to some children while openly denying it to other children,” Kucinich said. “This legislation is woefully inadequate: and I will not support it.
“Legal immigrant children deserve the same quality health care as other children receive. It is Congress’ responsibility to address the main difficulties that prevent legal immigrant children from gaining access to health care. Today, we did exactly the opposite.”
As to Kucinich’s motives, they could be construed in any number of ways: support for the immigrant community, pandering for presidential primary support, another opportunity to talk about the cornerstone of his White House bid — single-payer healthcare, or a combination. (To be honest, I am not sure which one it is exactly. I am not too familiar with Kucinich’s voting habits to make an accurate judgment.) That motive would be tested should the Democrats in the House seek to override a Bush veto.
Either way, there are likely some in the immigrant community that are just pleased someone made including legal immigrants in the authorization an issue regardless.
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September 29, 2007 at 10:21pm
When I write that I am not aware of Kucinich’s voting habits, I am not saying I don’t know that he is one of the most liberal in Congress.
I am just not aware if he “protest votes” frequently so I don’t know if this is just “Dennis being Dennis” or not.
September 30, 2007 at 9:02pm
I fully support the decision made by Representative and Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich, since the bill omits chldren who are legal immigrants, and pregnant women.
We cannot tell some children that their health care is covered, while telling other children that theirs is not, and be compassionate. Furthermore, a child’s health begins in the womb. Therefore, pre-natal care is a must!
Many thank-you’s to Dennis Kucinich for demanding that children’s health care cover all children from the very beginning of life!
October 4, 2007 at 2:48pm
[...] During the House vote on SCHIP, several Democrats voted against the bill. According to Matt Ortega, this prompted several so-called liberal blogger Matt Stoller to post criticizing them and their [...]