Keith Ellison: “I think that the words of Dr. Kagen are on the mark. Elections certainly do have consequences. Elections absolutely have…”

“I think that the words of Dr. Kagen are on the mark. Elections certainly do have consequences. Elections absolutely have consequences. I do hope as we deliberate on the next phase of this struggle, because the American people should know that we will not falter, we will not back down, we will stand strong with them, we will stand strong with the children, we will keep the faith, we will be in fidelity with them on this issue of health care. Mr. Speaker, please let everyone know that we have heard our Speaker clearly state that we are not going to back down on this one. This is a gut-check issue, and we will be sticking to it. Not only have both Democrat and Republican legislators been very clear on the importance of this issue, it is bipartisan and it is a moral issue, and our Nation's editorial boards have been clear. It is important to point out that on October 1, The Washington Post editorial stated that President Bush appears determined to veto, and he did now, the $35 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program that the House and Senate approved last week. The administration's proposal to increase spending by less $5 billion would fall $14 billion short of what is needed to maintain the existing coverage in SCHIP alone, never mind adding the millions of eligible but uncovered children the President once said he was determined to sign up. Where is the commitment in that?”