Schakowsky Statement on Chip Veto Override Vote

SCHAKOWSKY STATEMENT ON CHIP VETO OVERRIDE VOTE

Washington, D.C.–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives failed to override President Bush's veto of the Children's Health Insurance Program bill. The measure failed by a vote of 273 to 156.

"Today, 156 of my colleagues cast a defining vote in their legislative careers when they decided to turn their backs on 10 million American children and their families.

They made a serious political and moral miscalculation when they decided that it was more important to stand by the President's veto than it was to provide millions of children with healthcare. Their vote completely ignores the majority of Americans, Congress, Governors from both parties and hundreds of healthcare organizations who overwhelmingly favor expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Instead of voting on the merits of this bill, the Republicans have tried to distort and misrepresent the facts in an effort to provide themselves with political cover. However, the fact remains that this bill provides 10 million uninsured American children with healthcare and the President's veto does not.

The real losers of this vote aren't members of Congress who continue to have taxpayer-financed healthcare, but the millions of children from hard-working families who are waiting anxiously for healthcare.

The Democratic-led Congress is still determined to provide 10 million children with healthcare. We are not going to give in or give up until 10 million American children are assured healthcare....