(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement condemning Republican support for President Bush’s veto of a bipartisan bill that would have reauthorized and expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, after the House fell 13 votes short of overriding the President’s veto:

“The President and the Republicans who upheld his veto in the House stand virtually alone in opposing this critical bipartisan legislation that would extend much needed health coverage to the children in this country who need it most.

“Eighty one percent of the American people support this bipartisan bill. Sixty seven Senators support this bill, including 18 Republicans. Forty three governors support this bill, including 16 Republicans. More than 270 organizations support this bill, ranging from the American Medical Association to AARP, and Catholic Health to PhRMA.

“The President and the Republicans who have stood with him to uphold his veto are on the wrong side of children, the wrong side of families and the wrong side of history.

“So we have no choice but to keep fighting to put the needs of our nation’s children first and to see to it that they get the healthcare that they need and that they deserve.”