Catholic group targets members of Congress who voted against S-CHIP

[pnwmom]

http://www.catholics-united.org/schip-ads

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2007

Contact:
Chris Korzen
[phone]
[e-mail]

Washington - Catholics United will launch a radio advertising campaign targeting ten members of Congress whose opposition to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) have compromised their pro-life voting records.

The ads, which feature a mother urging her Congressional Representative to support SCHIP, will primarily air on Christian and talk radio stations from Monday Oct. 15 to Wednesday, Oct. 17 as Congress approaches a critical Oct. 18 vote to override President Bush’s veto of bipartisan SCHIP legislation.

“Building a true culture of life requires public policies that promote the welfare of the most vulnerable,” said Chris Korzen, executive director of Catholics United. “At the heart of the Christian faith is a deep and abiding concern for the need of others. Pro-life Christians who serve in Congress should honor this commitment by supporting health care for poor children.”

The following members of Congress have voted against SCHIP, which provides high-quality health coverage to more than six million children whose families would otherwise be unable to afford insurance. Radio ads will air on local radio stations in their congressional districts.

Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, Florida
Rep. Joseph Knollenberg, Michigan
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, Michigan
Rep. Tim Walberg, Michigan
Rep. Steve Chabot, Ohio
Rep. Gene Taylor, Mississippi
Rep. Michele Bachmann, Minnesota
Rep. Sam Graves, Missouri
Rep. Thelma Drake, Virginia
Rep. John Peterson, Peterson

The script for the radio commercial reads: “I'm the mother of three children, and I'm pro-life. I believe that protecting the lives our children must be our nation’s number one moral priority. That’s why I’m concerned that Congressman X says he’s pro-life but votes against health care for poor children. That’s not pro-life. That’s not pro-family. Tell Congressman X to vote for health care for children. Call him today at XXXX, that’s XXXXX.”

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA, and the Catholic Health Association have all urged Congress and President Bush to support SCHIP.

[rox63]

1. It's about friggin' time some of the anti-choice folks supported the kids after they were born

Good for them. I disagree with their position on abortion. But at least they are being consistent here.

[pnwmom]

2. Yes, I'm glad to see that they seem to be waking up to the fact

that the Rethugs, for all their pro-life talk, have been turning into the party of destruction and death.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

4. You, too, can start by ditching the "anti-choice" label

One is either "pro-abortion rights" (note: not "pro-abortion", mind you) or "anti-abortion".

"Pro-Life" and "Pro-Choice" are simply rhetorical inventions created by each side of the debate to make themselves look like they have the moral high ground and demonize the opposing side.

[sandnsea]

3. About damn time

Between this and Kerry targeting Republican Senators on Iraq, maybe we'll start getting some truth to these red districts and move this country forward again.

[pnwmom]

5. It looks -- I hope -- that the Rethugs may be about to lose some

of the Catholic voters who moved to the dark side the last time around.

Catholics have historically swung Democratic, but their pro-life stance was pushing them more to the Rethugs. Now that seems to be changing.

[applegrove]

6. Finally. The RCs stop being a one issue group. Yes Jesus was about the most

vulnerable.

[MrCoffee]

7. do Catholic hospitals take Medicare?

of course they want this bill passed.