Congressman Silvestre Reyes, D-TX, today voted to support the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and override the President’s veto of bipartisan legislation to provide health care to ten million children. Over 150 House Republicans sided with President Bush to sustain the veto, and to keep from extending coverage to 3.8 million children already eligible for health care. More than 580,000 children in Texas currently receive care through SCHIP.

"Today, House Republicans stood between 3.8 million additional children who would be covered by SCHIP under this bill and the health care they need," Congressman Reyes said. "The President’s veto on December 12th denied health care to children of hardworking families across America just as the country began experiencing an economic downturn, with families increasingly struggling with the costs of heat, food, gas and health care," said Congressman Reyes.

"When unemployment increases, so does the number of Americans without health insurance," Congressman Reyes said. "In this weak economy, more and more American parents are having difficulty finding health insurance for their children. As a result, the SCHIP program is more critical than ever."

The legislation vetoed by the President was backed by Republicans and Democrats in both houses of Congress and enjoyed support from Governors of both parties. Additionally, a series of new polls indicated overwhelming public support for SCHIP, with as much as 81 percent of the country backing the bipartisan Congressional plan.

Congressman Reyes vowed to continue to fight in Washington to enact legislation to provide health care for ten million children this year. The existing SCHIP program was extended in December until March 2009 – but, without this legislation, 3.8 million additional low-income children who are eligible but not enrolled will not be covered under the program. In addition, state budget shortfalls and administrative rules from President Bush put children who are covered now in jeopardy of losing health care.

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