On the recordJanuary 14, 2009
Today it begins: the process of turning the rhetoric of hope into the reality of change. Today we will enfranchise 4 million children with health insurance, many of whose working-poor parents have had to watch their children suffering in bed from an accident or an illness not knowing how serious it is or what to do, only knowing that they couldn't afford to find out. Now, we have passed this legislation before--twice--only to have it vetoed by President Bush. Why? Because we paid for it with a tobacco tax, which, in itself over the years, will save the lives of millions of people. But this bill that we pass today will be signed into legislation because that's exactly what President Barack Obama meant when he promised real change for all Americans.
Source
govinfo.gov
