Chris Dodd for President

Chris Dodd today released the following statement regarding the House's failed vote to override President Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

"Today's vote in the House to uphold the President's shameful veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is yet another reminder of the consequences of disastrous priorities on the part of this White House. With the resources it takes to execute just over three months of the Iraq War, we could fully fund the expansion of health care for needy children that Bush vetoed."

Dodd supporter and legendary musician Paul Simon is leading in the fight to make sure working American families can have affordable health care. Today Simon makes a public call for a veto override on SCHIP in the Huffington Post:

I am asking those of you who supported the veto to reexamine your conscience, to find compassion in your heart for our most vulnerable and sweetest citizens -- our children. I am asking you to change your vote. If you do, I believe it will be one of the proudest days of your life.

Earlier this month Senator Dodd said this following President Bush's veto of children's health care:

"This President's priorities are unconscionable. With the resources it takes to execute just over 3 months of the Iraq War, we could fully fund the expansion of health care for needy children that Bush vetoed. Indeed, today's veto is another reminder that this war is not only adversely affecting our security but also adversely affecting our other top priorities, and it's time for Congress to do what it must do to end it."

There is wide, bipartisan support for SCHIP. It's beyond sad that the President and a small number in the Republican Party are blocking this important program from helping America's needy children.

Senator Dodd released the following statement congratulating New Hampshire for standing up to President Bush's SCHIP veto:

I want to congratulate both Governor Lynch for standing up to President Bush and the people of New Hampshire who are gathering around the state to show their outrage at the President's severely misplaced priorities.

"With the resources it takes to execute just over 3 months of the Iraq War, we could fully fund the expansion of health care for needy children that Bush vetoed. This is just another reminder that this war is not only adversely affecting our security but also adversely affecting our other top priorities, and I'm happy to see so many people standing up to the President.

Senator Dodd responds to President Bush's veto of SCHIP:

"This President's priorities are unconscionable. With the resources it takes to execute just over 3 months of the Iraq War, we could fully fund the expansion of health care for needy children that Bush vetoed. Indeed, today's veto is another reminder that this war is not only adversely affecting our security but also adversely affecting our other top priorities, and it's time for Congress to do what it must do to end it."

At a press conference earlier today President Bush made statements about his intent to veto the State Children’s Health Insurance Program bill:

“I have a different view,” Mr. Bush went on. “I believe the best approach is to put more power in the hands of individuals by empowering people and their doctors to make health care decisions that are right for them."

Except, Bush is the one playing politics here and he's doing it at the cost of health insurance for poor and middle class children. Senator Dodd responded to Bush's veto threats:

"While he reportedly plans to call for up to $200 billion to continue a war that his top general can't even say is making the country safer, George Bush is rejecting the idea that we would spend less than one third of that amount for the health of America's children.

"That says all that needs to be said about this President's priorities."

The S-CHIP bill passed with an overwhelming majority out of the Senate (68-31) and the funding it allocates is spread over a five year period. Over those five years, the total bill to give children health insurance through S-CHIP will be about $60 billion. Bush is asking for $200 billion for the next few months of war in Iraq.