Politics: Hoyer -- Immunity For Telecoms on the Table

Steny Hoyer tests the political winds...but is he too cautious by half?

Top House Dem Steny Hoyer of Maryland said today that Democrats would "consider" what President Bush and his telecom cronies want desperately : immunity from prosecution. It is now clear that major telecom companies in the United States broke the law at the behest of the Bush administration and spied illegally on Americans. We still do not know the extent of the illegal activity -- nor will we ever if the freedom haters in the White House have their way. House Majority leader Hoyer points out reasonably ""We have not received documentation as to what in fact was done, for which we've been asked to give immunity..." Today the President made clear that no such documentation will be forthcoming. Democrats should hold the line and send this bill (with or without telecom immunity) to the dustbin where it belongs.

Politics: SCHIP Hits the Fan

Wisconsin's Jim Sensenbrenner (R) could be targeted for his vote. "Why can't the little buggers just use emergency rooms?" *Not an actual quote.

The House voted in favor of the new State Children's Health Insurance Program, setting up a veto showdown President Bush. Bush, who opposes the program on "philosophical" grounds, seems to feel that think-tank bromides trump sick kids. Though 45 Republicans sided with the Democratic majority on the bill, 151 Republican lemmings marched off this particular cliff -- allowing Bush's veto to stand and giving Democrats a prime election year cudgel in 2008. 8 Democrats also voted against the bill, among them Dennis Kucinich. Here are the full yeas and nays.