Wednesday, September 24, 2008

McCain Voted Worst Senator for Children

The Children's Defense Fund has rated US Senators on their votes on 10 pieces of legislation that affect children. McCain joined a small group of senators, all Republican, who scored 30% or lower. Obama, who scored 60%, wasn't among the group of 25 Democratic Senators who scored 70% or higher. Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic Congressman who ran for president, scored 70%.

Here are the 10 votes:

1. Increase minimum wage (H.R. 2)

2. Increase funding for children with disabilities (S. Con. Res. 21)

3. Protect children from unsafe medications (S. 1082)

4. 2008 Budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 21)

5. SCHIP Reauthorization (H.R. 976)

6. College Cost Reduction and Access Act (H.R. 2669)

7. SCHIP (H.R. 976 - motion to concur)

8. DREAM Act (S. 2205)

9. Funding child health and education (H.R. 3043)

10. Improving Head Start programs (H.R. 1429)

McCain was AWOL for most of the votes, but even ignoring his absent votes due to campaigning, his score shows a consistent trend that has been sinking lower each year. He has been preparing for this presidential run for a few years now and that requires a certain disdain for government to be an accepted Republican candidate. The Republicans say they support families and then vote against things like increases in the minimum wage (that affects single, working mothers), health care and educational programs for children.

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