BUSH'S PRIORITIES WRONG AND MISGUIDED

WASHINGTON, DC – Energy and Commerce CommitteeVice Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) today made the following statementafter President George W. Bush requested an additional $42.3 billionfrom Congress for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, raising the totalamount requested to $184 billion:

"President Bush's priorities are wrong and misguided. While hecontinues to request billions of dollars for his failed war in Iraq, hecan't seem to find it in his heart to spend any money on health carefor America's poorest kids. The President turns his back when it comesto 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 onIraqi health care – much of it spent on health care for the children ofIraq. It is appalling that the poorest children in America have to takea back seat to the President's disastrous war. What was missing inPresident Bush's request was a concrete plan to end this war and bringour troops home. Until then, I cannot support any plan that weakens ourcommitment to timelines and political benchmarks."