WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) issued the following statement today in response to unsupportive comments by Republican colleagues about efforts to improve the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
"I sincerely hope my Republican colleagues in the House don’t succumb to the unproductive partisan rhetoric that has been advanced by President Bush."
"Like Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, I am prepared to reach across the aisle to build a bipartisan consensus based on reason and compassion that delivers quality health care for America’s children."
“This is not the time to stand on the sidelines and engage in political gamesmanship. This is a unique opportunity that requires courageous leadership. Expanding the Children`s Health Insurance Program is good health policy and I hope my Republican friends will look at it as good national policy as well."
