Congress Passed - H.R. 976: SCHIP Reauthorization

H.R. 976: Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007
An act to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes.

Debate, Problems Explained

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)

Votes - House Version, Senate Version


House Final Activity

Rule:

H.Res. 675: Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 976

Table Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair
Passed 224-190

On Ordering the Previous Question
Passed 218-197

On Agreeing to the Resolution
Passed 215-199

Bill:

Agree to Senate Amendments with Amendments
Passed 265-159

House Passes Children's Health Bill
A broad House majority gave final approval last night to a $35 billion expansion of the popular children's health insurance program, with members from both parties brushing aside a stern veto threat from President Bush to vote their support, 265 to 159.

Senate Final Activity

Motion to Concur with House Amendments to the Senate Amendments
Motion to Invoke Cloture Agreed to 69-30

Senate Moves Toward Final Action on Children's Health Bill
The Senate voted to limit debate Thursday on legislation to expand children’s health insurance, paving the way for a final vote to clear the bill and send it to President Bush.

Motion to Concur in the Amendments of the House to the Amendments of the Senate
Motion Agreed to 67-29

Showdown Looms as Child Health Bill Passes
The Senate, with an overwhelming bipartisan vote yesterday, sent President Bush a $35 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, setting up the biggest domestic policy clash of his presidency and launching a fight that will reverberate into the 2008 elections.

Sec. 2112 clarifies that the new pregnancy coverage option does not overturn the current state option to provide coverage for unborn children and their mothers.

`(f) States Providing Assistance Through Other Options-

`(1) CONTINUATION OF OTHER OPTIONS FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE- The option to provide assistance in accordance with the preceding subsections of this section shall not limit any other option for a State to provide--

`(A) child health assistance through the application of sections 457.10, 457.350(b)(2), 457.622(c)(5), and 457.626(a)(3) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect after the final rule adopted by the Secretary and set forth at 67 Fed. Reg. 61956-61974 (October 2, 2002)), or

`(B) pregnancy-related services through the application of any waiver authority (as in effect on June 1, 2007).

This language neither protects nor attacks the HHS regulations giving states the option of covering unborn children. The Allard Amendment language would have protected this option for the states. This amendment failed 49-50 with Senators Kennedy and Kerry voting in favor. Massachusetts is one of 11 states that has exercised this option to provide coverage for unborn children.


Republicans Help Whip Votes for SCHIP Bill
House Democrats fell short of winning enough votes to override a veto of children’s health legislation, but Democrats said they plan to bring up the issue repeatedly ­— and to continue to enlist the help of moderate Republicans such as Sen. Charles E. Grassley to help their cause.

Pelosi Calls on Bush to Sign Children's Health Expansion
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., personally appealed to President Bush Friday to sign a $35 billion expansion of a children’s health insurance program, rather than carrying through on his veto threat.

Supporters of SCHIP Expansion Acknowledge Override a Long-Shot
Nineteen votes. Four percent of the current membership of the House. That’s how close Democrats came Sept. 25 to showing President Bush they could override his promised veto of a children’s health insurance bill.