[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 13 (Monday, January 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E84]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007--VETO 
            MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2008

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, today the House took up a 
second vote to override the President's veto of bi-partisan, bi-cameral 
legislation to reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health 
Insurance Program (SCHIP).
  This bill, H.R. 3963, would maintain coverage for the 6.6 million 
children currently enrolled and expand coverage to 3.8 million children 
who are currently eligible but unenrolled.
  In the face of a weakening economy, with unemployment rates on the 
rise, it is becoming more and more difficult for parents to find 
affordable health insurance for their children. We know that when fewer 
Americans are employed, the number of uninsured in our nation will 
grow.
  The vast majority of the American people believe in the value and 
necessity of the SCHIP program in providing access to health care for 
low-income children. This bipartisan SCHIP bill is supported by: 81 
percent of the American people; 64 Senators (including 17 Republicans); 
43 Governors (including 16 Republicans); and more than 270 
organizations, including AARP, AMA, Catholic Health Association, and 
Families USA.
  We live in a country where nearly 1 out of every 110 people is a 
millionaire. Unfortunately, this is the same country where more than 1 
out of every 10 children lacks health insurance coverage. In these 
difficult and uncertain economic times, access to affordable health 
care for low-income children is more critical than ever.
  The children who are enrolled in Texas SCHIP and CHIP programs around 
the country are from hard-working families. They deserve the 
opportunity to have access to affordable, accessible, and consistent 
health care. Healthy children become healthy, productive adults.
  Children cannot work and children do not choose to be poor. Children 
do not choose where they live or the circumstances they are born into. 
But, as Members of Congress elected to serve all people young and old, 
we do have a choice. We can choose to improve access to health care for 
our children and make an investment in the future of our country.

                          ____________________