Lynn C. Woolsey: “it's disappointing that the Administration and many Republicans can't get their priorities in order and support an…”

“it's disappointing that the Administration and many Republicans can't get their priorities in order and support an expansion of SCHIP. The Administration's veto of H.R. 976, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act, shows just how far its priorities are from the rest of this country. The Administration said it's too expensive. Yet the Administration has had no trouble spending half-a-trillion dollars on the occupation of Iraq. The Administration's priorities are clear: Unlimited money for occupation, no money for kids. Currently, we're spending about $14 million dollars per hour on the occupation. That means we could provide medical, dental, and mental health care to more than 10,000 low-income children for the cost of just one single hour in Iraq. This bill was an opportunity for us to stand up and say that 10 million of our Nation's children deserve health coverage and access to dental and mental health services. In California, that would have provided 607,000 additional children with health insurance. By vetoing this bill, the Administration has turned its back on these children. Additionally, the Administration has abandoned its promise to our Nation's military service members and their families.”