Speaker Joe Hackney of the North Carolina House of Representatives will lead a delegation of Democratic state lawmakers visiting the nation's capital Wednesday to meet with Congressional leaders.

The group is scheduled to meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, both Democrats. They are expected to discuss the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP; the severe ongoing drought in parts of the nation, including North Carolina; transportation and other federal budget matters.

"State and federal leaders must work together and have good cooperation if we are to overcome the challenges we face in this nation and in our states," said Hackney, president-elect of the National Conference of State Legislatures. "Meetings such as these allow for important exchanges of ideas and help all of us do better jobs for our constituents."

Other state lawmakers in the delegation include: Speaker Gaye Symington, Vermont; Speaker Margaret Kelliher, Minnesota; Speaker Michael Busch, Maryland; Senator Mark Schauer, Michigan; Senator Malcolm Smith, New York; Senator Mary Margaret Whipple, Virginia; Senator Harris McDowell, Delaware and Delegate John Doyle, West Virginia.

A press conference or limited press roundtable is tentatively scheduled for 10:15 a.m. at a site to be determined.