Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

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Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, at a time when more and more mothers and fathers are huddled around their kitchen table worried about how to cope with a job loss or pay their most basic expenses, we have an opportunity today, an opportunity to ensure that 11 million children can get affordable health care coverage through the Children's Health Insurance Program.

In my home State of Connecticut, unemployment keeps rising, and people are going from worried to scared. At such a time, it is our most basic economic and moral responsibility to provide health care to the most vulnerable among us. In this country, where 9 million children are uninsured, we cannot let another day go by without passing this legislation.

This is a smart investment in children, in their health and in their success at school and in life. It provides critical dental and mental health care for children, prenatal care to make sure every child has the best chance at a healthy start. It will help to discourage millions of children from smoking, a smart step towards a healthier Nation. We must shore up this vital safety net. We can afford it. It is a simple choice about fulfilling America's promise for our Nation's children and giving a small measure of peace of mind for their families.

I might say to my colleague on the other side of the aisle that, on a bipartisan basis, overwhelmingly, this House voted to pass the children's health insurance bill. The United States Senate overwhelmingly on a bipartisan basis voted to pass the children's health insurance bill. It was the former President of the United States who decided to veto that legislation when a majority of the American public supports health insurance for our children. Today we have an opportunity to right a wrong. Let's pass the children's health insurance bill. Let's get it to the President's desk. Let's get it signed, and let's give relief to the millions of families out there who are struggling.

Members of this body have health insurance, and their children have it. Why shouldn't the children of working and middle class Americans?

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