House Passes New SCHIP Bill

Seven votes shy of a veto-proof majority, the House of Representatives passed a new SCHIP bill Thursday, 265 to 142. Although 43 Republicans voted "yes," there were no new converts. There were 26 Congressmen who did not vote; many of them were from California and had gone home because of the fires. More from NYT. For details, see prior coverage here: House Continues Battle With Bush Over SCHIP.