Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), today issued the following statement on the pending House vote to override President Bush’s veto of legislation to strengthen the State Children’s Health Insurance Program:

“Today, we have an opportunity to reaffirm our nation’s commitment to the health of our children.  An overwhelming majority in Congress and America support providing care for the neediest children, and it is our moral imperative to override the President’s veto.

“Indeed, the President’s rationale for denying health care to poor children -- fiscal restraint -- is hollow.  For the cost of funding the disastrous war in Iraq for one week -- just one week -- we could ensure that millions of children here are treated and cared for.  In New York alone, SCHIP provides health care coverage to nearly 400,000 children.  Since it seems unlikely that the President will drop his objection, I urge my Republican colleagues to join us and stand with American families and their children.”