Washington - Today, President Bush once again vetoed a bill to provide health coverage for up to 10 million children from families that fall between Medicaid and private insurance. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who has led the fight in the Senate to preserve federal support for New Jersey's strong FamilyCare program, released the following statement:

"During this holiday season, one has to wonder if Ebenezer Scrooge is working at the White House. The president has once again looked ten million American children in the eye and told them their health is not worthy of a strong federal investment. The president and his party have adopted the strategy of obstruct, obstruct, obstruct, even when it comes to investments in the most vulnerable members of our society. They do not see the irony of sticking one hand out to ask for $200 billion for Iraq this year while using the other hand to veto health coverage for low-income children. That doesn't reflect the priorities of the people of my home state or this nation."

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