SCHIP
Floor Speech
SCHIP -- (House of Representatives - October 03, 2007)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 18, 2007, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ellison) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the very, very wonderful company of my freshman Members.
Mr. Speaker, since the 110th Congress began, we have, as a class, stepped forward to try to do everything we could to help the American people see a new way forward for America. And this week, we have seen that the distinction and the differences between our view of caring for the health of all Americans and that of the President were brought into very sharp contrast, very sharp contrast in that the President has vetoed SCHIP.
Mr. Speaker, before I turn it over to my very able classmates, I just want to point out that we're not rising today to talk about health care and SCHIP to throw partisan darts or anything like that. We recognize and respect and appreciate and even are quite grateful for members of the Republican Caucus in both Houses who have come forward to join and say that the health of our children is very important, in fact, it's sacred, and that all Americans should come together to support it.
Mr. Speaker, the bipartisan SCHIP reauthorization bill, which was vetoed by the President, is supported by 67 Senators, including 18 Republicans. It is supported by 43 Governors, including 16 Republican Governors, and I'm proud to say my own Governor, Tim Pawlenty. Governor Pawlenty knows that he and I have disagreed on things in the past, but we're together on this, that children's health must be cared for by adults.
The bill that was vetoed today is supported by more than 270 organizations, literally representing millions of Americans, and has very strong support from the American people at large.
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to get us started today. I have much more to say, but I don't want to delay any longer because I know that my very excellent difference-maker classmates have much to say about this issue. So without any further delay, I'd like to offer the microphone to the very able, very excellent, honorable Mr. Sarbanes from Maryland.
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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, if it wouldn't violate the rules of decorum, I would clap after Mr. Sarbanes' comment. I thought it was very eloquent. I thought the examples he used were very poignant. The young man who had a tooth abscess and had that go up into his brain and he died as a result of it stands as an indictment against our whole Nation. That young man deserves to have all of us, every adult in America, stand up and say, change must come, and it must come now.
I just would like to read a quote and see if I could get my colleague from Brooklyn's reaction, if I may.
Yvette Clarke, you are here with us tonight. You are a stalwart. You are a clarion voice for the public good. I just want to know what you might think about this statement as relates to SCHIP, which is a quote from the late Senator and former Vice President Hubert Humphrey, from my home State of Minnesota, in which he said that the moral test of any government is how it treats those in the dawn of life, the children; those in the dusk of life, the elderly; and those in the shadow of life, the disadvantaged.
When you think about this veto of SCHIP and you think about the moral test of the Nation, what do you think? What thoughts come to mind?
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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to point out that this is a bipartisan effort. As we come here and ask that this veto be overridden, it is not simply a Democratic initiative. It is also a Republican one. Let me tell you, I was really warmed, my heart was warmed up when I read the words written by Representative Heather Wilson and Representative Ray LaHood, two Republican Members, who sent out a Dear Colleague letter for the support of the SCHIP. They wrote, ``According to Census Bureau data, about 9 million children lack health insurance. This SCHIP agreement would cover 3 to 4 million of them by investing $35 billion in additional funding in children's health insurance over 5 years.''
Here is what our two Republican colleagues wrote further: ``We urge your support for the SCHIP agreement and believe it is the best vehicle for reauthorizing the program before it expires.''
That is what two Republican colleagues had to say about this bill. Presumably, they will be with us trying to overturn the veto.
My point is that as Americans citizens are watching us and watching this whole debate unfold here in the Capitol, they should know that they don't have to take sides based on party.
This is something that is simply a moral imperative. It is right, it is cost-effective, and improves our health and well-being. It demonstrates our commitment to our children. It is right for a whole number of reasons, not just one reason.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to say, Senator CHARLES GRASSLEY, who is a Republican Member, spoke very eloquently on this. He says, well, I am not trying to score political points. Again, it is not politics we are talking here. And any of the Democrats that have worked with me I know believe in they want to help kids, low-income kids, and we are going to not only keep the existing kids on the program, we are going to do what the President implied he wanted to do, was to bring more kids on. We are going to cover 4 million more kids as a result of what we are doing. I think it's up to the President, based on his message, to look at what we have done and see if it doesn't fit into that he tried to do, that he can't do that with just $5 million.
So, the point being, Senator Grassley, a Republican, is in support of this.
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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I think that the words of Dr. Kagen are on the mark. Elections certainly do have consequences. Elections absolutely have consequences. I do hope as we deliberate on the next phase of this struggle, because the American people should know that we will not falter, we will not back down, we will stand strong with them, we will stand strong with the children, we will keep the faith, we will be in fidelity with them on this issue of health care.
Mr. Speaker, please let everyone know that we have heard our Speaker clearly state that we are not going to back down on this one. This is a gut-check issue, and we will be sticking to it. Not only have both Democrat and Republican legislators been very clear on the importance of this issue, it is bipartisan and it is a moral issue, and our Nation's editorial boards have been clear.
It is important to point out that on October 1, The Washington Post editorial stated that President Bush appears determined to veto, and he did now, the $35 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program that the House and Senate approved last week. The administration's proposal to increase spending by less $5 billion would fall $14 billion short of what is needed to maintain the existing coverage in SCHIP alone, never mind adding the millions of eligible but uncovered children the President once said he was determined to sign up. Where is the commitment in that?
The Austin American Statesman editorial states on October 1: ``For many kids, the doctor is not in.'' What kind of statement is that, doc?
The Atlanta Journal Constitution: ``Kids lose out to politics,'' screams the headline on September 30.
The Chicago Tribune editorial: ``A sound children's health bill.'' Stating further, ``We urge the President to sign the measure. If he vetoes it, Congress should override that decision. We share the concern over stealthy leaps toward government-sponsored and universal health care. But this bill doesn't do that. It is a reasonable expansion of a vital program.''
The New York Times editorial: ``Overcoming a veto and helping children.''
The Daily News, New York, editorial. ``Presidential malpractice,'' screams the headline. ``President Bush is threatening a veto of legislation with broad bipartisan support that would extend health coverage to millions of uninsured children. He is wrong. Dead wrong.''
My colleagues, do the editorial writers have it right or wrong?
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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I just want to take this opportunity, it is an excellent segue that the doctor made. While the President finds it repugnant to have $35 billion in new moneys over 5 years, which would be what SCHIP calls for, the President in his new Iraq war supplement asks for an additional $45 billion, totaling close to $200 billion for the war in Iraq for the next year. That is $200 billion for the next year. And we can't afford a $7 billion increase for our children to get health care?
So please keep in this mind that this compromise to reauthorize SCHIP is something very small in comparison to the values that he seems to hold dear, which is waging war, in a war that we never should have been in, based on a false premise. For that he is willing to give all. But to secure the national health of our children, no money for that.
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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I just want to take this opportunity, it is an excellent segue that the doctor made. While the President finds it repugnant to have $35 billion in new moneys over 5 years, which would be what SCHIP calls for, the President in his new Iraq war supplement asks for an additional $45 billion, totaling close to $200 billion for the war in Iraq for the next year. That is $200 billion for the next year. And we can't afford a $7 billion increase for our children to get health care?
So please keep in this mind that this compromise to reauthorize SCHIP is something very small in comparison to the values that he seems to hold dear, which is waging war, in a war that we never should have been in, based on a false premise. For that he is willing to give all. But to secure the national health of our children, no money for that.
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Mr. ELLISON. The Members of the difference makers, the majority makers, the class of 2006 who are in this 110th Congress ran on a platform of change, succeeded on that platform as Americans all across the country endorsed that platform of change, coming together from diverse parts around the country, all for one thing, which is to elevate and uplift the public good and the interests of the American people. Whether it's on the issue of war and peace or disease and wellness, or whatever it may be, education, workers' rights, civil rights, environmental sustainability, whatever it is, we will continue to raise our voices because we were brought here to bring change.
We're fresh off the campaign trail, knocking on doors, talking to folks at the doorstep about what they need and what they care about. Our idealism is high. Our energy is high. Our resolve is strong, and we will be here for the American people.
Mr. KAGEN. Together, we will.
Mr. ELLISON. Together, we will.
Ms. CLARKE. Together, we will.
Mr. ELLISON. That's right.
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