CongressDaily ($) is reporting that the two reauthorizations that have funding increases for human needs programs -the Farm Bill and SCHIP- aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Negotiations over SCHIP have broken down, and the Senate failed to close off debate on the Farm Bill. We'll have to wait until after Thanksgiving to try again. This is all pretty demoralizing, particularly given the yesterday's failed vote to override the Labor/HHS veto. Keep in mind that Bush's strategy is in part to demoralize us. It titillates the conservative base when a progressive agenda is frustrated, particularly on spending and tax issues. But nobody else is amused. The American public is by all measures I've seen behind these spending proposals and furious with the President and his supporters for opposing them. P.S. This could make you feel better- the Coalition on Human Needs wants you to hold your representative accountable for their votes on Labor/HHS.