Thank You Congressman Taylor!!!!!!!

Call Congressman Gene Taylor at 1-800-861-5343 and thank him for voting to support the children of Mississippi.

Congressman Taylor had previously voted against the extension of SCHIP and against the veto override - one of only two Democrats to do so. A coalition of citizens worked hard to turn around his vote, and we were successful! Democrats made some changes in the bill to take care of all reasonable objections and brought the bill back for a vote yesterday. This time Congressman Taylor voted in favor. Please take time to thank him for this crucial vote that must have been difficult for him.

Here's some information about the Mississippi SCHIP program from the Clarion Ledger:

In Mississippi, only children from families who earn no more than 200 percent of federal poverty level - or no more than $41,300 a year - qualify for the plan.

But other states have more generous qualifications, registering children from higher-income families and pregnant women under the program.

The program is run on a cost-sharing basis, with the federal government picking up most of the tab, depending on a state's income levels.

In Mississippi, the federal government pays for 83 percent of the cost of insuring a child under CHIP.

At least 20 states - including Mississippi - would soon run out of money to administer the program if it is not reauthorized on or before Nov. 16.

Of course, our two Republican Congressman (Pickering and Wicker) voted against children again. But no one even bothered lobbying them. They don't know how to think for themselves and always support the President no matter what - even when it hurts Mississippians.