Rep. Phil Hare's Blog

MSNBC Hardball Interview on Thomson Prison Plan

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:58:59 GMT

Watch me debate Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) on the plan to sell Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government.

Join me at 3:00 pm on Wednesday for a Live Chat on Health Care Reform

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:30:46 GMT

Here are my thoughts on a single-payer plan, as discussed during a House Education and Labor Subcommittee hearing last week...

Do You Use Facebook?

Fri, 15 May 2009 14:48:51 GMT

Do you use Facebook? I just launched my official Congressional page. Just login to Facebook, search “Congressman Phil Hare,” and become a fan so you can stay up to date on what I am doing in Congress.

Thanks.

My Interview on CNN Discussing Roland Burris

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:09:03 GMT

Celebrating Lincoln's 200th Birthday

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:26:00 GMT

A Moving Address

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:26:32 GMT

Sitting there as I listened to President Obama's inaugural address, I was amazed by the sea of people stretching all the way back to the Lincoln Memorial. It was a sight I will never forget. I thought President Obama's speech was excellent. It was optimistic but realistic. It rightly called for an end to the bitter politics that have divided Washington for too long. It clearly laid out the challenges facing our nation: putting people back to work, reforming our energy policy, and making health care more affordable.

He provided clear examples from history where the American people overcame great odds. No one thinks the years ahead will be easy. But I am confident that President Obama will lead the way to a better and brighter future.

What did you guys think?

A Day For History

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:50:09 GMT

Words cannot describe the sight outside my office. Millions of people from around the country have traveled here to see Barack Obama sworn in as our 44th President. I am heading to the House floor to gather with my colleagues and will soon be on my way to hear our new President give his first address.

Health Care for Children

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:22:53 GMT

With our economy in recession, more and more working families are struggling to afford health care. This week, Congress will take long overdue action to cover additional uninsured children under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Since its creation in 1997, SCHIP has succeeded in providing health care coverage for more than 6 million children of families whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to buy private insurance.

In the 110^th Congress, I voted twice to expand SCHIP to cover 4 million additional children, but both measures were vetoed by President Bush. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), a staunch conservative, said: “I think the President’s had some pretty bad advice on this.” Senator Hatch was right.

Fortunately, there is a new sheriff in town. President-elect Barack Obama has expressed his support for an expansion of SCHIP. He understands that we have a moral obligation to provide our children with the best health care possible.

Over 280,000 Illinois children are currently enrolled in SCHIP. This bill would cover 154,000 more. After years of indifference, these children and their families will finally have a chief executive that stands up for them.

I look forward to voting for this important legislation this week.