[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 165 (Monday, October 29, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2263]]
 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3963, CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE 
                  PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 3963, a revised version of the Children's Health 
Insurance bill which the President vetoed on October 3 despite strong 
bipartisan support. Like the original, this bill ensures health care 
coverage for 10 million children.
  This bill will preserve coverage for all 6.6 million children 
currently covered and will reach millions more children who are 
currently eligible but not yet enrolled. It is vital that we pass this 
important legislation to ensure that our nation's children receive the 
health care they deserve.
  We cannot allow our children to slip through the cracks.
  An overwhelming majority of the American people and Governors of both 
parties support our efforts to provide health insurance for our 
children.
  Democrats have reached out to Republicans to craft this revised bill 
to address concerns that were raised with the original bill.
  Today's vote will give the American people the opportunity to see 
whether these were legitimate concerns or merely political excuses.
  This revised bill gives the President another opportunity to protect 
America's most vulnerable children. Let's send the President this bill 
giving him the chance to finally get this right.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in fulfilling our moral 
obligation to our nation's children by supporting this bill and giving 
them the health care they need and deserve.

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