Jay Rockefeller: “I thank both my ranking leader and the chairman of the committee. I say to my good friend, Senator Kennedy from…”

“I thank both my ranking leader and the chairman of the committee. I say to my good friend, Senator Kennedy from Massachusetts, that having witnessed this process, Senator Hatch fought like a tiger, would not yield in very close quarters, in order to get the additional $8 billion added on for children's health insurance, along with Senator Chafee, myself, and others. I think that ought to be very clear. As Senator Chafee said when Senator Chafee and this Senator's bill failed, we managed to raise the standards of the bill to pass to such a degree to being very effective. As for not covering all children, that will be a matter of debate because of the uninsured already eligible and how to get to them. I urge support of the committee amendment.”