This legislation would have made desperately needed investments in many critical domestic initiatives, including medical research, public health, education assistance, and community services. For example, compared with the President’s budget, the bill would have provided for nearly 1,400 new life-saving medical research grants for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s; health care for 1.2 million more Americans through community health centers; extra math and reading help for 117,000 more children; and help with heating cost for an estimated 1.5 million more families through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). I strongly supported H.R. 3043, and I was proud to vote in favor of the final version of the bill when it came to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote on November 8, 2007.

Unfortunately, President Bush decided to veto the bill. I supported the subsequent effort to override the President's veto on November 15, 2007, but, regrettably, that effort failed by a vote of 277-141 (a two-thirds majority was required). Nevertheless, I will continue to press for appropriate action on this matter as we move forward.