Patty Murray: “I think yesterday was a sad day for all Americans. For reasons I can't comprehend, President Bush yesterday decided to…”

“I think yesterday was a sad day for all Americans. For reasons I can't comprehend, President Bush yesterday decided to veto our bipartisan effort to invest in health care for the Nation's children. With no fanfare, behind closed doors, when no one was looking, the President put his personal politics ahead of increased investment in our most precious asset, our children. I was so proud last week when, with bipartisan support in good margins in both Houses of Congress, we passed the Children's Health Insurance Program. That bill is an example of how Government ought to work. Leaders in the House and in the Senate, both Republicans and Democrats, worked together to find a compromise that could work for everyone at the table. Nobody got everything they wanted, but the final product was worthy of support and pride on all sides. I had hoped that after seeing the tremendous work that went into this compromise the President would think of the kids in every State of the Union who needed basic health care and reconsider his position.”