House Democrats are not wasting any time since the start of session yesterday and according to the Associated Press are promising that a revised State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) before the inaugural. This is the same bill that they passed twice overwhelmingly in the house it includes a $35 billion increase and an increase in the tobacco tax of $.39/per pack bringing the tax to a dollar. President Bush vetoed the bill twice. The thought is President Obama will sign the bill or face bad press first week on the job.
The current law does not expire until March 31st, and there does not seem to be a good reason to pass it prior to President Obama’s input. This is another example of Congress attempting show their power prior to the inaugural.
President Obama may be getting help to slow this down from an unlikely source. Senator Thomas Colburn, MD (Oklahoma), has promised to filibuster the bill. Senator Harry Reid has stated that the Senate will work this weekend to pass the bill if this is what it takes.
Let the Games Begin.
Associated Press: House Dems to vote on Obama-favored health plan
The Hill: Reid Plans Weekend Session