NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday January 23, 2008

Shadegg continues obstructionist ideology against kids

Rep. John Shadegg voted today against 83,000 Arizona kids who don’t have health care, standing with President Bush for the third time.

In the face of overwhelming public and bipartisan support, Shadegg voted against the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which covers the health insurance for children of working poor families. In Arizona, nearly 83,000 uninsured children would have been eligible for health insurance with today’s vote.

“John Shadegg is completely out of touch with the middle class families he represents,” said Maria Weeg, executive director of the Arizona Democratic Party. “While he spends most of his time in Washington, families in Arizona are working hard to make ends meet. For some of them, that means their kids don’t have health care. He could’ve changed that today, but he sided with the President.”

President Bush has vetoed the legislation twice, while a bipartisan group of members of Congress continue to try to override his veto. The bipartisan group came within 15 votes of overriding the veto on Wednesday.

Shadegg’s vote is just another indication of his Washington-focused mentality. His fundraising practices have come under fire as he tries to skirt federal regulations governing contribution limits so he can fill his war chest with money from wealthy donors.

The Arizona Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission about Shadegg’s fundraising tactics today. More information about the complaint can be found here .