Chris Van Hollen: “Madam Speaker, this is a moment of important substance and important symbolism. The substance and merits of this bill…”

“Madam Speaker, this is a moment of important substance and important symbolism. The substance and merits of this bill are clear. We are going to preserve health coverage for 7 million American children and expand it to another 4 million children from working families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but do not earn enough to be able to afford the very high costs of private health insurance. Taking this bill up right now also sends a very important signal that change has come to Washington, DC as a result of the last election. President Bush twice vetoed this legislation on children's health. We will soon have a new President, President Barack Obama, who as one of his first acts as President will sign this legislation, a President who understands the hardships American families are struggling under at a time when more than 2 million Americans have lost their jobs in just 2 months. The difference could not be clearer. The current President used his mighty veto pen to say 'no,' to veto and protect the status quo. The new President will use that pen to say 'yes,' to change the status quo and provide health care to 4 million new American children as we continue to protect 7 million American children. That is change we can believe in.”