Emanuel Statement on President's Threat to Veto Health Care for Children

Press Release

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel issued the following statement after President Bush threatened to veto legislation that would provide millions of children with health care coverage through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP):

"This is what President Bush said about the Children's Health Insurance Program in 2004 when he was running for re-election:

‘America's children must also have a healthy start in life . . . In a new term, we will lead an aggressive effort to enroll millions of poor children who are eligible but not signed up for government health insurance programs. We will not allow a lack of attention, or information, to stand between these children and the health care they need.'

"This is what President Bush is saying now, despite bipartisan support in the Congress for reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program, exactly as he called for in 2004:

‘If Congress continues to insist upon expanding health care through the SCHIP program - which, by the way, would entail a huge tax increase for the American people - I'll veto the bill.'

"Will the real President Bush please stand up?"

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