Schakowsky Calls on House Republicans to Override President's Veto of Children's Health Insurance Program

SCHAKOWSKY CALLS ON HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO OVERRIDE PRESIDENT'S VETO OF CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, submitted the following remarks into the Congressional Record today before the override vote on President Bush's veto of the Children's Health Insurance Program bill.

"The day is finally here. Today, the American people will see what this body is really made of and where members stand on the issue of children's healthcare.

Is this body willing to stand up to the President and override his veto? Or are my colleagues on the other side of the aisle going to fold like a house of cards and follow this President right off a cliff?

The choice is easy…You are either for healthcare for 10 million children or you are not. You can equivocate all you want and come up with an excuse that is politically expedient, but when it comes down to it, there is no way to hide from your vote.

When that voting board lights up this afternoon, we will know and remember those who let 10 million children and their families down. The President and most of the Republicans in Congress will tell you that we can't afford this bill, but don't let them fool you. This bill is fully paid for, unlike the half a trillion dollars that we have already spent in Iraq.

And keep in mind, the members that vote against this bill today are going to turn right around and vote for $190 billion more dollars for the war in Iraq. Unfortunately, it's the children that end up with the short end of the stick. The children the President is refusing to insure today are the same ones that will be forced to foot the bill for the war in Iraq tomorrow.

But you have a chance to make things right today…to set the record straight. You can show your constituents and this country that you care about the millions of uninsured American children more than continuing this disastrous war.

Please…don't let these children down. They need your vote. Vote to override this misguided veto."