Liberal members warn Dem leaders on SCHIP

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Liberal members warn Dem leaders on SCHIP
By Jonathan E. Kaplan
November 09, 2007


Some liberal House Democrats are warning leadership officials that they are going too far in seeking to strike a deal with Republicans on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Leading black, Hispanic, Asian and progressive lawmakers sent a letter on Tuesday to Democratic leaders objecting to making further compromises that they say would make proof-of-citizenship requirements more stringent and cut funds to minority outreach programs.

“We are deeply concerned by the continued compromises that we may be asked to make on behalf of our communities; such compromises cause us to question our support for the overall package,” the eight liberal Democrats wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.).

The Democratic lawmakers who signed the letter include Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Carolyn Kilpatrick (Mich.), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joe Baca (Calif.) and Asian Pacific American Caucus Chairman Mike Honda (Calif.). The three chairmen, however, were not representing thier caucuses in the letter. The other five Democratic lawmakers were Reps. Barbara Lee (Calif.), Hilda Solis (Calif.), Jan Schakowsky (Ill.) and Dels. Donna Christensen (Virgin Islands) and Madeleine Bordallo (Guam).

Democratic whips huddled on Thursday to discuss how a compromise bill would affect the support of the various factions within the Democratic Caucus.

Some Democrats argued that even if they make changes to mollify a half-dozen Republicans, Democrats could lose support from 15 of their members.

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http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/liberal-members-warn-dem-leaders-on-schip-2007-11-09.html