Bill Sali

Bill Sali, a Republican has represented the First Congressional District of Idaho in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2007. (map) He was defeated by Walter Minnick in the general election.

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
In 2007, Congress took up the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health care for about 6 million children and 670,000 adults from families who earn too much money qualify for Medicare but not enough to afford health insurance. Congressional Democrats and many Republicans tried to use the opportunity to dramatically expand the program but were opposed by President George W. Bush and other Republicans. In 2006, 5.4 million children were eligible but not enrolled in SCHIP or Medicaid and 9.4 million total children were uninsured.

Bill Sali voted AGAINST the first House bill, which passed along party lines. It would have added $47 billion over five years to the $25 billion cost of the program and added about 5 million people to the program, including children, some legal immigrants, pregnant women and adults aged 18 and 19. The bill was financed mainly by an increase in cigarette taxes.

House Democrats, with 45 Republicans, later compromised and passed a bill which expanded the plan by $35 billion and would have insured about 3.5 million more children from families generally making between 250% and 300% of the federal poverty line (about $51,000 to $62,000 for a family of four). Most non-pregnant, childless adults were excluded, as were most legal immigrants and all illegal immigrants. Bill Sali voted AGAINST the bill.

After President Bush vetoed the bill, Democratic leaders attempted to override the veto with the same bill but failed. Bill Sali voted AGAINST the bill.

House Democrats then attempted to override it with another bill, which gave into Republican demands for increased checks for citizenship, the quick phasing-out of adult coverage, a hard limit of 300% of the federal poverty level and funding for families that covered their children through private insurance instead. Republicans, angry that the vote was scheduled during massive fires in California, blocked the veto override. Bill Sali voted AGAINST the bill. For details on the bills and the debate, see the main State Children's Health Insurance Program page.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Campaign finance report problems
As reported by the Eye on Boise blog, Sali filed an amendment to his April 2008 Federal Election Commission report in August 2008, his 11th amendment since June 1, 2008 and his 43rd since 2005. The report showed that he had about $15,000 less cash on hand in his campaign fund. Sali's campaign's July 15 report was filed on July 25th and was amended three days later, making him the second-to-last member of Congress to file. Sali cited problems with the FEC filing software as the reason for the late report. FEC guidelines show it could fine the campaign $3,250.

Biography
Born in Ohio in 1954, Sali moved to Idaho with his family at the age of eight. He attended Boise State University and later received his Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho. After graduation, he established a solo legal practice. In 1990, he entered the Idaho legislature. He is also an avid musician, having been part of numerous bands playing swing, bluegrass, and classic rock. He and his wife Dorothy have six children. 

2006 election
Sali defeated Democrat Larry Grant to replace Rep. C.L. Otter in the 2006 congressional elections, who ran for governor.

Money in politics
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Committees

 * House Committee on Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans
 * Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands
 * House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives

Contact
DC Office: 508 Cannon Building Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-6611 (202) 225-3029 (fax) Web Email Website

Boise Office: 802 W Bannock, Ste 101 Boise, Idaho 83702 (208) 336-9831 (208) 336-9891 (fax)

Caldwell Office: 704 Blaine St, Ste 1 Caldwell, Idaho 83605 (208) 454-5602 (208) 454-5618 (fax)

Coeur d' Alene Office: 610 W Hubbard, Ste 206 Coeur d' Alene, Idaho 83814 (208) 667-0127 (208) 667-0310 (fax)

Lewiston Office: 313 D Street, Ste 104 Lewiston, Idaho 83501 (208) 743-1388 (208) 743-0299 (fax)

External resources

 * Bill Sali for Congress, official campaign site.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * f-words
 * Red State Rebels
 * Ridenbaugh Press
 * Right Mind