Washington, DC – U.S. Representative John Hall (D-NY19) today implored his colleagues in the House of Representatives to vote to override President Bush's veto of H.R. 976, the Children’s Health Insurance bill, legislation that would provide health care coverage for 10 million children.  During the House debate on the veto override today, Hall gave the following statement on the House floor:

 

"In a move that defies logic, compassion, and common sense President Bush made the terrible mistake of vetoing SCHIP.

 

The President’s veto contradicts an explicit pledge he made during the 2004 campaign to 'lead an aggressive effort' to make sure uninsured children receive health coverage guaranteeing them ‘a healthy start in life.' Instead of living up to that promise he now wants to deny millions of children access to high quality health care.

 

Since 1997 CHIP has helped reduce the number of uninsured children in New York by 40 percent.  The bill the President vetoed would help 268,000 more of New York’s kids.

 

The President's remark that children don’t need healthcare, that all they need to do when they’re sick is go to an emergency room is uninformed, irresponsible or simply callous.

 

It’s mind-boggling that the President is asking for $190 billion more for his mismanaged war in Iraq at the same time he denies $35 billion to give health insurance to poor kids.  It’s a shameful choice.

 

We have a responsibility to America’s youth to override this veto, and I call on every member of this body, on both sides to the aisle to do just that."

 

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