"Twenty years ago, Senator Ted Kennedy and I came together to create the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP."
"I ask you to extend funding for CHIP with the enhanced match rate for the next 5 years."
"CHIP, from the outset, was a bipartisan program that enjoyed, and continues to enjoy, broad bipartisan support."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been impacted over the past few days by Hurricane Irma."
"While it isn't perfect, and while, in my view, some of the subsequent changes to the program have been regrettable, I believe that, overall, people consider it to be a success."
"Congress created CHIP with one goal in mind: to make sure no American child falls through the cracks of a health-care system with far too many."
"CHIP was needed to help many families make that transition."
"I'm confident that in short order Congress can pass a strong and bipartisan extension of CHIP that will last for many years."
"It's important for Congress to take action soon. There's no kicking this can down the road with a short-term bill."
"CHIP adds a level of security to their health care above and beyond Medicaid."
"It will be critical that the Department of Commerce work with Congress."