[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             AMENDING TITLE XXI OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

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                               speech of

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my 
support for passage of H.R. 3288, but do so with disappointment that 
the House did not take up S. 1547, thereby failing to expedite the 
process of ensuring that New Mexico does not lose their unused SCHIP 
funds.
  My New Mexico delegation colleagues in the other chamber were able to 
secure passage of S. 1547 on July 31, 2003 by unanimous consent. This 
legislation allows states, including New Mexico, to keep unused 
allotments under the SCHIP Program.
  Prior to recessing for the August District Work Period, we in the 
House passed H.R. 2854--what was supposed to be a final compromise 
covering $2.7 billion in SCHIP funds, about half of which technically 
expired September 30, 2002, and the rest of which was scheduled to 
expire September 30, 2003. Without this action, the funds would have 
reverted back to the Federal treasury, consequently depriving New 
Mexico and other states of sorely needed health care funds.
  However, because of a technical error in H.R. 2854 that excluded New 
Mexico from retaining their SCHIP funds, S. 1547 was passed to ensure 
that New Mexico was rightfully included. Now, with passage of this 
legislation today, New Mexico and other states will again be required 
to wait for their much-needed SCHIP funds since this bill will now have 
to be referred back to the Senate, passed once again, and then sent to 
the President for his signature.
  While I by no means seek to diminish the importance of the other 
states now included under H.R. 3822 for a similar fix that was required 
for New Mexico, I am nevertheless disappointed that S. 1547 could not 
be passed as a lean technical fix to expedite New Mexico's funds. New 
Mexico is ranked second in the Nation for uninsured individuals, which 
makes the SCHIP program that much more important so that children can 
have health coverage.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3288, but do so in the hope that 
this legislation can be expeditiously passed in the other chamber. The 
sooner we can get this legislation into law, the sooner the funding can 
go to its intended purpose--providing health insurance coverage for the 
children in our respective states.

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