Pete Sessions Praises Ted Kennedy

From Dallas Morning News:

Of the hundreds of sentiments from Capitol Hill mourning the loss of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, among the most poignant comes from Rep. Pete Sessions...

"I am deeply saddened by his passing and most appreciative of his work on behalf of people with special needs," Sessions said in a statement.

"Without Senator Kennedy's leadership in the Senate, this bill [the Family Opportunity Act] would not have become law," Sessions said. "A fierce advocate of the liberal cause, Senator Kennedy will be remembered most for his ability to reach across party lines and work to get things done."

In 2001, Pete Sessions introduced The Family Opportunity Act alongside one of the most liberal members of Congress, Henry Waxman (CA-30). From Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law:

February 28, 2001-Legislation to give many more children with serious disabilities access to needed health and mentalhealth services was reintroduced this month by Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA)and Representatives Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Henry Waxman (D-CA).

The Family Opportunity Act of 2001 (S. 321 and H.R. 600) is also referred to as the Dylan Lee James Act, in honor of a little boy with Down syndrome who lived in Representative Sessions' district in Texas. He lost Medicaid coverage when his father received a $3,000 bonus. The bill targets the huge gap in coverage faced by families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, lack employer health coverage or have private insurance with inadequate mental health benefits.

Which brings us back to the questions that's been asked so many times on this blog: if Pete Sessions could support that bill, why the vehement opposition to a plan allowing anyone to buy into a public health insurance plan?

Pete Sessions votes "no" to SCHIP

As the Washington Post put it, Pete Sessions is following Bush over a cliff with his staunch opposition to SCHIP. Not only did he vote "no," but called the move "cynical":

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Tex.) argued that "rather than taking the opportunity to cover the children that cannot obtain coverage through Medicaid or the private marketplace, this bill uses these children as pawns in their cynical attempt to make millions of Americans completely reliant upon the government for their health-care needs."

Coming from Pete Sessions, this is rank hypocrisy. In 2006, Pete Sessions sponsored the Family Opportunity Act, which was passed into law, and allows families with a Down's Syndrome child to buy into Medicaid if their household income is up to 300% of federal poverty level.

According to the 2007 Federal Poverty Guideline, poverty level for a family of 4 is $20,650. Three-hundred percent times $20,650 is $61,950. While Mr. Sessions would not personally benefit from the Family Opportunity Act, his own son has Down's Syndrome, so this is a special interest of his. Can he only relate to poor families if they have a child like his? What about other low income families trying to make ends meet? Doesn't he care about them?

Vote information is as follows: HR 976, "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." Passed 265-159, with 1 voting Present and 8 not voting