Max Baucus: “Nearly every American schoolchild knows the story told in Parson Weems' 1800 biography ``The Life of Washington.'' That…”

“Nearly every American schoolchild knows the story told in Parson Weems' 1800 biography ``The Life of Washington.'' That is our first President. According to Weems, young George used his new hatchet to chop down his father's cherry tree. His father asked George what happened. George was tempted to make up a story, but then in Weems' famous account, young George ``bravely cried out, `I cannot tell a lie. I did cut it with my hatchet.''' I wish all public servants kept the same standard of truthfulness, especially in this debate. Regrettably, many of today's public servants appear all too tempted to make up a story. Many are failing to tell the truth about the Children's Health Insurance Program. Let me set the record straight. President Bush has said that our bill ``would result in taking a program meant to help poor children and turning it into one that covers children in households with incomes of up to $83,000 a year.'' That is what our President said. That is not true. There is nothing in the Children's Health Insurance Program bill that would change current law and allow States to cover children in families making $83,000 a year. There is nothing in the current bill that would let that happen. Nothing in current law; nothing. On income eligibility levels, the bill maintains current law.”