I'm surprised no one brought this up yet.  So they passed the bill we've all been fearing.  The only question is will Bush veto it as he said he would.

I'm not feeling real good about this.  This could make our passion a lot more expensive.

Steve


WASHINGTON,, Sept 21, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Bipartisan, bicameral coalition ready to move on full reauthorization of vital program

A bipartisan coalition of Senate and House leaders today announced a bicameral agreement to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for an additional five years. CHIP provides health coverage to American children whose parents do not qualify for Medicaid, but can't afford private insurance. The $35 billion agreement struck by House and Senate negotiators will bring health coverage to approximately ten million children in need - preserving coverage for all 6.6 million children currently covered by CHIP, and reaching millions more low-income, uninsured American children in the next five years.

Below is an outline of the agreement, which is designed to target specifically the lowest-income uninsured American children for outreach and enrollment. The agreement does not call for CHIP coverage for children in families at higher income levels. Instead, it reduces Federal matching funds for future coverage of children at higher income levels, and provides incentives to cover the lowest-income children instead. CHIP coverage of childless adults and parents will be phased out to maintain the program's focus on kids.

I was hoping that wouldn't pass.  Bush promised to veto it though.. hopefully he'll keep his word.

Or else all the cigar manufacturers are gonna take huge hits..

and it's gonna be a mad dash for cigars now.. as some fear Bush may not veto it.. Let's see what happens.  

I'll smoke pipe tobacco if I have to.  :P

The Cuban Emigre community has enormous influence in Florida and Florida is a big swing state. It's because of them that we can't buy Cuban cigars, but it is also because of them that Bush MUST veto the bill. Destroying the cigar industry, which is big in Florida, could swing the state one way or the other. Since the Democrats support the bill big time, he can score points by opposing it.

The point we are all upset about is cigars taking the unfair bulk of the hit to pay for the bill. Whether we support increasing public health care for kids through higher taxes is irrelevant. It's how they want to pay for it  that unites us.

The Senate hasn't passed it yet, has it? Unless these bills are identical, it'll go to committee where compromises and lobbying might soften the cigar tax.

Thanks for reminding me that there will still be pipes, for now.

This whole legislation makes me sick.  BUT these guys are not stupid the way they approached it.  The tagline is that it is "for the kids."  The people who are affected by the tax are in the minority (us smokers.)  Therefore the majorty would not object and this thing sails through.

This could kill an industry and certainly destroy the mom & pop retailers out there.  Let's hope Bush vetoes this garbage.

Quoteccforme - 9/28/2007  8:59 AM

This could kill an industry and certainly destroy the mom & pop retailers out there.  Let's hope Bush vetoes this garbage.

Amen!  Yes! Veto!

I hate to say it, but I am gonna be glad Bush is in office if he vetos this, other than that he's worthless. Hehehe

Wanna know how nonsense like this actually makes it through?  

Watch.. and be disgusted!

Click Here

10 years ago

The house voting thing has gone on for a long time......   It's sad we can't hold them to their own rules and regulations........

 Maybe it's time to build Gort~!    And by the way..... FDA's "User Fees" increase this year~!  

...let go...or be dragged...

QuoteVroomp - 10/1/2017  1:26 PM  

The house voting thing has gone on for a long time......   It's sad we can't hold them to their own rules and regulations........

 Maybe it's time to build Gort~!    And by the way..... FDA's "User Fees" increase this year~!  

 Fortunately i know how to stop Gort - "Klaatu barada nikto"