Catholic group criticizes Chabot

Rep. Steve Chabot is under attack from members of his own religion – Catholics.

Chabot, a Republican from Westwood, is among 10 Catholic members of Congress who are being targeted in a radio ad sponsored by Catholics United for voting against legislation to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP.

The ad was unveiled today. Listen to it HERE.

It will air primarily on Christian and talk radio stations from Monday to Wednesday, and feature a mother urging Chabot to support SCHIP, saying that voting against health care for poor children is not a "pro-life" or "pro-family" vote.

“Building a true culture of life requires public policies that promote the welfare of the most vulnerable,” said Chris Korzen, executive director of the group, said in a release. “Pro-life Christians who serve in Congress should honor this commitment by supporting health care for poor children.”

Chabot's spokesman Todd Lindgren said the ad fails to tell the whole story.

Chabot did vote against the bill to expand SCHIP, but he did so because the bill expands the SCHIP program at a huge cost without finding ways to pay for the expansion.

The House passed the SCHIP bill but it was vetoed by President Bush. The ad comes as the House is poised to vote to override the veto later this week.

“While I believe it is necessary to renew the SCHIP program and continue to help provide assistance to the children of working families without health insurance, this bill is a fiscally irresponsible approach that cannot be adequately funded,” Chabot said last month.

Chabot voted to create SCHIP in 1997 and supports renewing the program – but in a fiscally responsible way, Lindgren said.