Children’s Health Takes Back Seat to President’s Failed War in Iraq
WASHINGTON, DC – Energy and Commerce Committee
Vice Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) today made the following statement
after President George W. Bush requested an additional $42.3 billion
from Congress for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, raising the total
amount requested to $184 billion:
“President Bush’s priorities are wrong and misguided. While he continues to request billions of dollars for his failed war in Iraq, he can’t seem to find it in his heart to spend any money on health care for America’s poorest kids. The President turns his back when it comes to supporting the children’s health program – which is fully paid for – and instead wants to drive our nation further into debt with this war.
“Since 2003, the United States has spent over $880 million dollars on Iraqi health care – much of it spent on health care for the children of Iraq. It is appalling that the poorest children in America have to take a back seat to the President’s disastrous war. What was missing in President Bush’s request was a concrete plan to end this war and bring our troops home. Until then, I cannot support any plan that weakens our commitment to timelines and political benchmarks.”
“President Bush’s priorities are wrong and misguided. While he continues to request billions of dollars for his failed war in Iraq, he can’t seem to find it in his heart to spend any money on health care for America’s poorest kids. The President turns his back when it comes to supporting the children’s health program – which is fully paid for – and instead wants to drive our nation further into debt with this war.
“Since 2003, the United States has spent over $880 million dollars on Iraqi health care – much of it spent on health care for the children of Iraq. It is appalling that the poorest children in America have to take a back seat to the President’s disastrous war. What was missing in President Bush’s request was a concrete plan to end this war and bring our troops home. Until then, I cannot support any plan that weakens our commitment to timelines and political benchmarks.”
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