Sunday, September 07 2008
According to
The New York Times, Congressional Democrats do not intend to bring SCHIP legislation up again this year. They have concluded that the President would veto the bill and that the House Republicans will again have enough votes to sustain that veto.
Furthermore, according to the Congressional Budget office, the cost of the bill has increased, however, the revenues from tobacco taxes remain about the same. Because of the projected cost increases, Congress would need to figure out how to fund the extra cost. Opposition to the current SCHIP bill remains from Hispanic, African- and Asian-American members of Congress due to a lack of coverage for some immigrants.
Finally, time is a factor as Congress will be adjourning in the next three or four weeks, potentially leaving insufficient time for the legislative process to play out.
The IPCPR, its federal lobbyists, and the Cigar Association of America (CAA) will continue monitoring the SCHIP situation. As with life, politics may be full of surprises. As new information and news develops, we will keep you posted.
- Chris McCalla
Legislative Director, IPCPR
The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) is a not-for-profit trade association organized as the advocate for the independent retail tobacconist and recognized as the "Voice of Authority and Reason" on premium tobacco related issues.
