Steny Hoyer responds to *'s assault on Dems today

“President Bush continues to sow division instead of showing leadership on every issue from health care for children to investing in America’s future.

“Democrats and Republicans together have worked hard to craft a bipartisan bill that will ensure 10 million low-income children have heath care coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). As relayed by members of his own party, the President has not been a productive partner in this bipartisan effort. Instead, he continues to block compromise by perpetuating myths about this broadly supported bill – all of which have been debunked.

“In addition, the President’s threats to veto appropriations bills, which are nothing more than a transparent attempt to restore his fiscal credibility with unhappy conservatives, have needlessly complicated the completion of these bills. The President did not veto a single funding bill in six years while racking up record levels of deficit and debt in cooperation with a Republican Congress. In fact, President Bush has borrowed more money from foreign governments than all other Presidents combined.

“Democrats have put forward a balanced budget plan that includes moderate, targeted increases in key investments like health care and cops on the beat. It is time for the President to work with Democrats on these important bills, rather than use them as political piñatas.”