Jim McGovern

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. General Leave I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me the time and for his leadership on so many issues advocating human rights, but especially the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. I also want to thank Congressman Jim Moran for introducing this resolution that recognizes and commends the outstanding work carried out by dozens of national organizations and literally thousands of local groups across the country to educate Americans and motivate them to take action on ending the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Mr. Speaker, on April 28, 2006, my House colleagues, Representatives Moran of Virginia, Tom Lantos, John Olver and Sheila Jackson-Lee, joined me for a protest in front of the Sudanese embassy here in Washington as part of a larger effort organized by religious, student, and human rights groups to focus the country's attention on the genocide in Darfur. All of us were arrested and many of us joined thousands of our fellow citizens 2 days later for the national rally on the Mall to stop the genocide in Darfur. I brought my two children, Patrick and Molly, to that rally so that they could listen to the speeches, see the great diversity of people united in effort, and meet so many of the young people and students who have been engaged in the cause of ending genocide. I happen to be especially blessed, Mr. Speaker, in having 13 colleges and universities in the Third Congressional District of Massachusetts, an engaged religious community of many faiths and school districts that believe in debating the serious issues of the day inside the classrooms. I had been hearing and learning about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur for months from elementary school, middle school, high school and college students, from religious leaders and community groups, from the Armenian American community in Worcester, and from local human rights and refugee advocates. When I stood with my colleague in front of the Sudanese embassy, I was there not just to protest the genocide, but to honor the broad coalition of voices that works every day, that works day after day, week after week and year after year to end the violence, the terror, the humanitarian crisis, the genocide in Darfur. Among these are the Save Darfur Coalition, STAND, ENOUGH, and the Genocide Intervention Network. Since the national rally on the Mall a little over a year and a half ago, these groups have continued to raise the awareness of the American people. Over the April recess, I had the privilege of traveling to eastern Chad to meet some of the 300,000 refugees from Darfur living in camps along the Chad-Sudan border. I spent several days with representatives from UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Program, Oxfam, ICRC, Catholic Relief Services, Doctors Without Borders and so many others whose lives and work are completely focused on responding to the humanitarian crisis. I cannot possibly express in words the respect and admiration I have for them and all the other NGOs working inside Darfur and in Chad and the Central African Republic with the nearly 3 million people displaced from their homes by the violence in Darfur. Mr. Speaker, today we are considering three bills on Darfur: this one, that recognizes and commends the work of advocacy groups and other NGOs who raise awareness and are working to help end the genocide in Darfur; another resolution introduced by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro about the need to protect the women and girls of Darfur from acts of rape and sexual violence that have become commonplace in this conflict; and, a third, condemning in the strongest terms the attacks on September 29 on the African Union peacekeepers. Mr. Speaker, the genocide goes on. The humanitarian crisis persists. This morning's Washington Post speaks to the fact that the United States and the international community speak with passion, but accomplish little in ending the violence in Darfur. This week another peace conference on Darfur is under way in Libya, except all the parties to the conflict are not present. We must do more, Mr. Speaker, or we will be here 1 year from now, once again bemoaning the killing, the violence, and the terror. The time for action is now.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. I thank and commend the distinguished Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Dingell, and the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Rangel, as well as the subcommittee chairs, Mr. Pallone and Mr. Stark, for their hard work and dedication in bringing this bill to the floor today. I also want to commend the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, for her dedication to the children of America and her steadfast support for a strong, inclusive S-CHIP bill. The issue before us is simple. Either you believe that 10 million low-income kids deserve health care or you don't. I know the President and some of my Republican colleagues don't want to have this debate. They don't want another vote on the S-CHIP bill. They want this issue to just go away. Well, I have some news. This isn't going away. We're going to keep fighting until 10 million kids get the health care they so desperately need. It is astounding to me--it literally takes my breath away--to watch President Bush fight to deny health care to children. It is shameful. From day one, President Bush and the Republican leadership in the House trashed Democratic proposals to insure children who--at no fault of their own--are falling through the cracks of the health care system. It's clear that America's health care system is broken. Too many are uninsured. Too many rely on emergency rooms for their health care. And, at the same time, health care costs continue to rise--making it harder for businesses to provide their workers with the health care they need and making it too expensive for individual families to buy on their own. And God forbid if you have a pre-existing condition--you can forget it. All of us here in Congress have world-class health care, and so do our kids. Maybe the problem is that not enough members of Congress understand what it's like to struggle, to spend sleepless nights worrying about a sick child, wondering how you're going to pay for their doctor's visits. Today, the Democratic majority--with the help of some brave Republican Members--will once again approve an S-CHIP bill that provides health care to 10 million children. This is what we were sent to Congress to do. The only logical conclusion we can take from President Bush's veto, from the partisan political attacks on a 12-year-old boy and his family, and from the continued stonewalling of this bill, is that the majority of Republicans don't want to provide health care to children. It's that simple. Republican leaders tried to block this bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee. Then they stretched the truth about who would be covered. Let's be honest here--the House and the Senate will approve this bill and President Bush--the former compassionate conservative candidate-- will veto it. The question is, how many Republicans will continue to vote to deny health care to 10 million children and how many will--for the well-being of these children--decide to stop playing politics and vote to override the veto? Madam Speaker, House Democrats have come more than halfway. This bill doesn't go as far as I would like, but it's a good, bipartisan effort. It addresses the issues raised by some on the other side of the aisle. The bill President Bush vetoed never provided health care to illegal immigrants--despite the incorrect claims coming from the other side. This bill makes that even clearer. The bill President Bush vetoed never provided health care to families making $83,000 a year and neither does this bill. The bill President Bush vetoed took 2 years to phase out adults currently on the S-CHIP program and this bill speeds that timeline up to 1 year. Let me be clear--under this bill, families who can afford health care will not be eligible for S-CHIP. Under this bill, illegal immigrants will not be eligible for S-CHIP. Under this bill, adults will not be eligible for S-CHIP. But 10 million American children who don't have health care will get the help they so desperately need. The time has come for the members of this body to make a choice--will they stand with the children of America, or will they stand with President Bush? I know where I stand, Madam Speaker. It's time to stop playing games with the lives of children. It's time to pass this bill.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rachel Savageau of Shrewsbury, MA. A talented and intelligent young woman, Rachel has been named one of the recipients for the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Youth Award from the Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee. A 2007 graduate of Shrewsbury High School, Rachel proved to be an exceptional young woman during her 4 years there. Rachel helped found the Young Democrats of Shrewsbury High School and served as secretary for all four years of her high school career. She was also a member of her school's Political Action Committee and a GSA leader. Currently a political science major at UMASS Boston, she has started a Young Democrats group there and is interning for the League of Women Voters. Rachel's active role in numerous groups makes her the perfect recipient for this award. Our country's future is invested in young people like Rachel and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring her today.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Jason Palitsch of Shrewbury, Mssachusetts. Jason's enthusiasm for the political process has led to his selection to receive the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Youth Award from the Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee. Currently a freshman at Northeastern University, Jason has already become active in politics. He is the president of the ``Northeastern for Hillary'' group and will become Political Director of the College Democrats group in the spring. Jason's political activism began while he was a student at Shrewsbury High School. While there, he co-founded and was the first president of the Shrewsbury High School Young Democrats club. He was also a member and officer of numerous other student organizations during his 4 years at Shrewsbury High School, including Amnesty International, Political Action Group, Student Council, and the student newspaper. Jason is a passionate and likable young man who has a bright future in whatever profession he chooses to work in. I congratulate Jason on this award and his enthusiasm for politics.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Emily Peeples of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. A talented and intelligent young woman, Emily has been named one of the recipients for the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Youth Award from the Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee. A graduate of Shrewsbury High School, Emily was active in all parts of high school life. She was an officer of the Young Democrats in addition to other groups, and was on volleyball and lacrosse teams. She was elected to Anti-Defamation League Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp, which teaches acceptance and community involvement. Emily also achieved the Silver Award for Girl Scouts during her time in high school. Now a freshman at the University of Wisconsin, Emily is continuing her involvement. She has joined the College Democrats, the Campus Liaisons, and is running as a freshman representative to the student council. I would like to take this moment to wish Emily luck on her campaign and ask my colleagues to help me honor her for winning this award.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Joseph Ricca of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Mr. Ricca has worked tirelessly for our community and because of that work has been selected to receive the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award from the Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee. A product of the Shrewsbury public school system, Mr. Ricca still resides in town with his wife, Mary Ann and 8-year-old son, Joseph Peter. He graduated with a B.A. in State and Local Government from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst and later went on to receive his Master's Degree in Business Administration from Anna Maria College. After school, he joined the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office serving numerous positions until being named Chief of Staff in 1987. In 1988, Mr. Ricca began work for the Dukakis for President Committee. During the campaign, Joe was responsible for campaign activities in Iowa, New York, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. He later used this experience to work as Senior Staff Director for the Gore and Kerry Presidential Campaigns. In addition to these national campaigns, Joe also has been elected delegate to numerous Democratic State and National Conventions. Mr. Ricca has had great success in the private sector as well. After starting his own firm, Ricca and Associates, he joined the Dewey Square Group, which is considered by many to be one of the leading communication/consulting firms in the country. I commend my friend, Joe Ricca who has dedicated his life for the betterment of his community and our country. His commitment to public service helps all of us. In tribute to his tireless work and dedication, I congratulate Mr. Joseph Ricca on receiving this award. I know all of my colleagues will join me in paying tribute to him today.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Paula Rowse Buonomo of Shrewsbury, MA. Paula has dedicated her working life to helping the people of the Third Congressional District in Massachusetts. In recognition of that work, she has been selected to receive the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award from the Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee. Paula has worked for me in my district office in Worcester for the past 10 years. During her stay, she had helped numerous constituents deal with issues associated with Social Security, health care, education, and poverty. She has always been there to lend a helping hand to people in their most desperate times. Paula has lent her talent to numerous non-profit organizations as well. She serves as a board member of the Worcester County Food Bank, is a member of the Food Advisory Council for the city of Worcester, and is a steering committee participant for the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts grant, ``Ending Hunger in Worcester.'' Paula's effort to end the problem of hunger and poverty is one that we all should aspire to. A lifelong resident of Shrewsbury, MA, with her husband, Jim, and two grown children, Megan and James, Paula has been a visible face in her community. She served on the Shrewsbury School Committee for two terms and worked on several Proposition 2\1/2\ overrides in support of the Shrewsbury public school system. As someone who has witnessed Paula's tireless work firsthand, I can say that this award could have not gone to a better person. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in honoring Paula Buonomo for receiving this award.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, in Massachusetts, we have begun to address the crisis of the uninsured. We believe health care is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy. The president's veto of the bipartisan SCHIP compromise abandons 11 million children, including 90,500 Massachusetts children. That is unacceptable. I wish President Bush would take the time to meet hardworking families like the O'Neils of Fall River. They were just blessed with their first child, Sean. Dad works several jobs while his wife recovers her health. But the cost of all those doctors' visits and immunizations add up. Thanks to SCHIP, Sean is a happy, healthy baby. But thanks to the President's veto, my proactive State exhausted its SCHIP allotment on October 1. Even with the extension, all of its funds will be gone by January 11. To justify his position, the President has decided to distort what this good bill actually does. It doesn't cover well-off families. It doesn't cover illegal immigrants. What it does do is give a hand to millions of families who are struggling to provide health care for their kids. I simply don't understand the President's priorities. He's more than happy to sign bills giving billions of tax breaks to oil companies and multi-millionaires, but he won't sign a modest, fully-paid-for bill that helps millions of low-income children? He's willing to spend hundreds of billions of dollars--none of it paid for--in Iraq but is unwilling to sign a bill that is paid for and will keep children from losing their health care? That makes no sense to me. This bill has the support of the medical community, children's advocates, and even the insurance industry. There is simply no reason for the President to reject it, other than partisan politics. I will continue to fight for this important program, and I urge all of my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, to do the same.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I regret that the intransigence and stonewalling by the Bush administration of Congress' oversight responsibilities have made this legislation necessary. H. Res. 734 rightfully expresses the sense of the House that the Department of State has abused its classification authority by withholding from Congress and the American people information about the extent of corruption in the Iraqi Government. This resolution criticizes the State Department for retroactively classifying public documents that have previously been widely distributed as unclassified. It also calls upon the State Department to rescind its directive that orders officials not to answer questions in an open committee hearing that might characterize the situation of corruption in the Iraqi Government. What is the background on this, Madam Speaker? On October 4, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing on corruption in Iraq. Mr. Stuart Bowen, the Special Inspector General for Iraq, and Mr. David Walker, the Comptroller General of the United States with the Government Accountability Office, testified that entrenched corruption in the Iraqi Government is fueling the insurgency, undermining the chances of political reconciliation and endangering our troops. Judge Radhi Hamza al-Radhi, the former head of Iraq's own Commission on Public Integrity, stated that his work documented $18 billion stolen by corrupt officials. He also testified that Prime Minister Maliki personally intervened to block further investigations and prosecutions of his relatives and political allies from going forward. Concern about endemic corruption in the Iraqi Government should be of great concern to every single Member of this House. It raises a fundamental question: Is the Iraq Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Maliki, too corrupt to succeed? It should definitely concern the White House and the State Department. So how did the Bush administration respond? The State Department took the extraordinary step of retroactively classifying corruption reports by its own officials, and even portions of a GAO report already released by Mr. Walker. State Department witnesses appearing before the committee refused to answer even the most basic questions about corruption in Iraq in open session. So imagine my surprise when I opened this morning's Washington Post to find that the State Department told the press yesterday that official corruption in Iraq is ``real, endemic and pernicious,'' and remains a major challenge to building a functioning, stable democracy. Now that wasn't in a classified setting; it was on a conference call with reporters. So it is okay to make such statements to the press but not to a congressional committee? Madam Speaker, we are not talking about state secrets on how to carry out attacks against al Qaeda in Iraq. We are talking about corruption. Government corruption. There is no reason for stonewalling Congress, especially when the topic is discussed freely with reporters in a conference call. Quite simply, Madam Speaker, the Bush administration has abused the classification system and demonstrated its contempt of congressional oversight and accountability. More than 3,800 of our troops have been killed in Iraq and more than 28,000 wounded. Let me repeat that. More than 3,800 of our troops have been killed in Iraq and more than 28,000 wounded. What kind of an Iraqi Government are they fighting for? I think their families and their military comrades deserve to know. President Bush is asking Congress to give him another $150 billion for the war. I think Congress and the American people deserve to know the extent of corruption within the Iraqi Government and how that might affect our chances of success in Iraq. Madam Speaker, the facts about corruption may be embarrassing for the Iraqi Government, but they do not meet the test for secret classification. Every newspaper in America has written stories on corruption in Iraq. Classifying previously released public documents, silencing public officials so that Congress and the American people are unable to get a complete picture, the good and the bad, about corruption in Iraq serve no legitimate purpose. Any Member, Madam Speaker, who stands up on the House floor and says they're against corruption in Iraq has to vote for this measure. The fact is that our occupation of Iraq is, occupation of Iraq is now in its fifth year. For four of those years, when Republicans were in control of Congress, they did nothing and said nothing about corruption. They were silent, while hundreds of billions of dollars were funneled to a government who I wouldn't trust to tell me the correct time. Madam Speaker, talk is cheap, and if you're against corruption, then you should vote for this resolution. The problem is that for too long in this Congress there have been some who have been apologists for bad behavior. They have looked the other way while they have known that corruption in the Iraqi Government has been an increasing problem, not a decreasing problem. So I would say to my friends on the other side of the aisle that if, in fact, you want to change the behavior of the Iraqi Government, if you want to stop the silence and the inaction that characterized your control of this Congress when it came to the issue of corruption in Iraq, then you need to vote for this resolution. The administration's actions need to be denounced and rescinded. I would urge my colleagues to stand up finally and belatedly and do the right thing and support H. Res. 734.

Mr. McGOVERN. I would say to the gentleman, if during the last 4 years that this Congress and this administration did anything to fight corruption in Iraq in a meaningful way as a statement, maybe it's part of a classified briefing we need to have.

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I thank the former chairman of the Rules Committee for yielding. I would just say for 4 years this Congress and this administration has been indifferent to the corruption in Iraq, and as a result, we bear some responsibility for the mess that's there now, and this resolution says we need to change course.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and pay tribute to Mr. Robert Largess who has completed a historic 4-day stage coach journey from the scenic shores of the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island to beautiful Kelley Square in my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts. Mr. Largess has driven an 1800's style horse-drawn stagecoach along the Blackstone River Valley National Corridor to commemorate the third annual Footsteps in History Program. This program is a week-long celebration of the cultural and historic heritage of the Blackstone Valley. Footsteps in History was created by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, and the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. Long before the railroad and canal boats came to the Blackstone Valley, people used stagecoaches to make the journey between Providence and Worcester. His 4-day journey will be the first such trip in about 180 years and aims to raise public awareness about the Blackstone Valley and its place in history. Mr. Largess's ride has also served to educate our children and our community about the important role that the Blackstone River and the Blackstone Canal have played in the industrialization of the United States. He will end his journey at the starting point of the Canal and he has been at the center of a communitywide effort to restore the section of the canal that is now buried under the streets of Worcester. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I honor the work of Mr. Largess and members of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council for the work they do to help bring alive the rich history of the Blackstone Valley.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman please state his point of order?

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 675 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I'm sorry that the gentleman from California wasn't impressed with the names of the Republican legislators that I met who, I think, have impeccable conservative credentials. But this is a bipartisan effort. In fact, unlike when he was the chairman of the Rules Committee and his party was in control of Congress, bipartisanship now means more than just one Member of the opposing party. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert in the Record a letter that's in enthusiastic support of this bill sent to Speaker Pelosi signed by 16 other Republicans, and there are many, many more who I hope will support this bill. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, September 19, 2007. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, The Capitol, Washington,

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 6 minutes. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 675 provides a rule for consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 976, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. The rule permits the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce to move that the House concur in the Senate amendments with the amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. The rule waives all points of order against the motion except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. Finally, the rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided among and controlled by the chairmen and ranking minority members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today represents a defining historic moment for this House. Members of this body will be faced with the simple choice: Will you vote to provide health insurance to millions of children, or will you vote to take health insurance away from the children who currently have it? Today, over 45 million people living in this country woke up without health care. Millions of them are children whose families make too much to be eligible for Medicaid but not enough to purchase their own insurance. Studies have shown that the number of uninsured children jumped by 710,000 last year. That is unconscionable; and under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi and the new Democratic Congress, we have begun to change it. The State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, currently provides health care to over 6 million children; but the program will expire in just 6 days unless we act to reauthorize it. Historically, the SCHIP program has enjoyed bipartisan support. The bill before us today represents a careful, bipartisan compromise that enjoys the support of people like Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Orrin Hatch, Congressman Ray LaHood, and Congresswoman Heather Wilson. Frankly, Mr. Speaker, the bill before us does not go as far as I would like. I prefer the bill this House passed a few weeks ago. The House-passed bill not only expanded the SCHIP program to 1 million more children than the bill we'll be voting on today; it also leveled the playing field by adjusting the reimbursements for the Medicare Advantage Program, a program that is in dire need of reform. But I will not and I cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of the very good, and this is a very good bill. Under this agreement, health insurance coverage will be provided to millions of children who do not have it today. Quality dental coverage will be provided to all enrolled children. The agreement ensures that States will offer mental health services on par with medical and surgical benefits covered under SCHIP, and the bill also provides States the option to cover prenatal care, ensuring healthy babies and healthy moms. Now, contrary to the White House rhetoric, the bulk of the children who would gain coverage are poor and near-poor children who are uninsured, not middle-income children with private coverage. The President would like to suggest that SCHIP is Congress's way of socializing medicine and undermining private health insurance plans, which is interesting, considering that just yesterday this bill was endorsed by America's Health Insurance Plans, the Nation's largest insurance lobbying group. It is also important to note, Mr. Speaker, that this bill is fully paid for. This represents a sharp change from earlier bills that the President enthusiastically supported from the 2003 Medicare prescription drug bill to the Republican energy plans to his tax cuts for the rich, which were all financed by massive amounts of deficit spending. The President has threatened to veto this bill, Mr. Speaker. That takes my breath away. He didn't veto billions of dollars in tax breaks to oil companies that were gouging people at the pump. He didn't veto billions of dollars in no-bid defense contracts. But he will veto a modest bipartisan bill to provide health care coverage for millions of low- and moderate-income American children? Now, some of my friends on the other side of the aisle would say that we should simply extend the current SCHIP program, but what they won't tell you is that the spending level supported by the President is not enough even to provide continued coverage for all the children who are currently enrolled. In other words, Mr. Speaker, those who support the President would take health care away from over 800,000 kids who have it today. That is not acceptable. That is cruel. As the Catholic Health Association has said, ``Temporary extensions and/or inadequate funding levels will lead to children losing coverage. That would be an enormous step back for our Nation and a retreat from our collective commitment to cover uninsured children.'' Mr. Speaker, this is a defining moment for this Congress. With a ``yes'' vote on this bill, we can improve the lives of millions of children and their families. A ``no'' vote is a vote to take health care away from some of the most vulnerable members of the American family. The choice is clear. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, before I yield to our next speaker, I just respond to the gentleman from Texas by saying, he talks about this Republican vision for health care; but if my memory is serving me correctly, the Republicans were in charge of the Congress for many years, too many years, if you ask me, and they had the President of the United States of the same party while they were in control of both Congresses. What they presided over with all their control, this Republican vision that the gentleman from Texas talks about, resulted in more and more and more, millions and millions more Americans falling into the ranks of the uninsured. And many of them are children. Too many are children. We are trying to fix that here. We think it is unconscionable in the richest country on the face of this Earth that millions of children go without health insurance. Let me just say one other thing. The gentleman made an allusion, too, that this bill would make it easier to enroll illegal immigrants. I want to ask my friend from Texas to read the bill. Section 605, no Federal funds for illegal immigrants. Nothing in this Act allows Federal payment for residents who are not legal residents. Now, I know that immigrant bashing is the last bastion of the politically desperate, but the fact of the matter is facts are facts. And on documentation, only my Republican friends would argue that poor children should have passports as though they are jetting off to Paris for the spring fashion shows. The bottom line is, what the gentleman is raising on that level is totally unwarranted. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack).

Mr. McGOVERN. I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question of the gentleman from California.

Mr. McGOVERN. We have all of our time scheduled. I'm sorry.

Mr. McGOVERN. We are literally filled up.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, let me just say a couple of things with regard to process. The gentleman knows, everybody else knows, the gentleman should know that his Republican colleagues in the Senate blocked a motion to go to conference. The SCHIP program expires in 6 days, and we don't have time for a House version of a filibuster. A dozen States will run out of SCHIP funding if we do not act. Now is the time to act. So if you want to make sure that those currently enrolled continue to get the health care coverage, then you've got to vote for this. And if you want more children to be enrolled, then you have to vote for this. On the issue of legal immigrants, I agree. I think all of us here agree that the legal immigrants should be included. The reality is there were not enough Republicans who agree. The Republican leadership has been awful on this issue. And the Republicans in the Senate have said that adding a legal immigrant provision would have killed the bill in the Senate. That is the gentleman's party. Let me also remind Members of this House that you had an opportunity to vote for an SCHIP that covered legal immigrants. That is what we voted on here in the House, and you all voted ``no.'' You voted ``no'' on that. You voted not to extend coverage for those legal immigrants in this country, those children of legal immigrants. So I'm not quite sure what you're trying to do here, other than trying to delay this process so we don't get this bill passed. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), a distinguished member of the Rules Committee. (Ms. MATSUI asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)