Providing for Consideration of H.R. 3162, Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3162, CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND MEDICARE PROTECTION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - August 01, 2007)

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Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, for today we are here on the Children's Health and Medicare Act, the CHAMP Act.

And, Madam Speaker, I hope the American people know there are many champions for America's kids standing up for our hardworking families in the Nation's Capitol today; and we are joining with Republican and Democratic Governors from across the country fighting for a new direction, for a healthier and economically sound America.

It was only 8 months ago when Speaker Nancy Pelosi accepted the gavel as the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives. She accepted that gavel on behalf of America's children, and we're going to keep our promise to America's kids today.

There's another champion in the Chair of the Rules Committee, Ms. LOUISE SLAUGHTER, who has helped us fight through these delaying tactics to bring this bill to the floor, and we will vote on it today.

In the Energy and Commerce Committee, Chairman JOHN DINGELL continues to be a voice of clarity and advocacy for America's children; and he is joined by the voices, the loud voices, of Congressman Frank Pallone and Congresswoman DIANA DEGETTE and the members of that committee.

In the Ways and Means Committee, where PAYGO means something now in this new Congress, Chairman CHARLIE RANGEL has led our effort to pay for this Act.

And I salute the subcommittee Chair, Mr. PETE STARK, and the members of that committee and many, many more on the floor of this House, who are not just Members of Congress, but we are also parents and we are grandparents.

The real champions, however, are the parents across America working to make ends meet and provide their children with a healthy and successful life. We are on their side today and every day, even in the face of resistance from the White House, where the President suggests that the health care for America's kids can be found in the emergency rooms of local hospitals. That is wrong.

Instead, through the SCHIP program and children's health care and this innovative partnership between communities, States and Federal Government, we will make important investments in our kids and their health today that will pay dividends down the road for our economy. It will reduce the strain on our emergency rooms, our crowded local emergency rooms, and it will reduce the strain on moms and dads.

This is, indeed, a historic day, a day for a new direction, a day full of hope for the health of our children and a better America.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

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