Anna Eshoo: “I think today is really a great day in America because the legislation that is before us is one of the most important…”

“I think today is really a great day in America because the legislation that is before us is one of the most important bills that we will pass in the 111th Congress, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, or SCHIP. As we know, the same legislation was vetoed not once, but twice by President Bush, forcing the Congress to pass short-term extensions and no improvements to the program. But, today, a promise is being kept to America's children. They will be insured with health insurance. And the total will be 11 million. We are adding 4 million children to be covered. I think that that is a victory. The legislation invests more than $32 billion over 5 years, and it is fully paid for. So it is good fiscal policy, it is good health policy, and is good social policy. Forty years ago today, I gave birth to my daughter, Karen. Today, more children are being born, and the little ones can look forward to what the Congress is providing. Bravo, bravo, bravo.”