HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner

Washington, Oct 17, 2007 - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today condemned a false advertising campaign planned by MoveOn.org regarding reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and called on all Members of Congress to denounce it, regardless of their views on the best way to extend the life of the SCHIP program.

“Just when you thought it was safe to turn on your TV or open a newspaper again, they’re back: MoveOn.org, the same radical liberal organization responsible for the despicable ‘General Betray Us’ ads that were condemned by both houses of Congress, has now unveiled a similarly despicable ad that exploits a two-year old girl with a serious heart ailment. To borrow a term from the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank, this is the worst instance yet of political hacks using children as ‘human shields.’

“This ad exploits the suffering of a two-year old girl and her family in an attempt to perpetuate the false premise that Republican legislators are seeking to block funding for the SCHIP program. In reality, Republican legislators in the House on September 26 voted overwhelmingly in favor of extending the life of the SCHIP program. And we’ve made clear in public statements since then that we stand ready to work with our Democratic counterparts for a responsible long-term reauthorization bill that continues to put children like Bethany Wilkerson first.

“MoveOn’s pathetic ad states that Bethany Wilkerson is healthy today only because of the SCHIP program. What it doesn’t mention is that the SCHIP program that enabled Bethany to be healthy was created under a Republican Congress; nor does it mention that virtually every Member of Congress has voted to extend SCHIP until a bipartisan compromise is reached, ensuring Bethany’s care will continue. In fact, it is Republicans who argue priority in the distribution of SCHIP benefits should continue to be given to vulnerable children like Bethany, rather than used to provide government coverage for higher-income adults who already have private insurance.

“As with MoveOn’s slanderous attacks on General David Petraeus, the new ads are so misleading and disgusting they have no place in our nation’s political discourse. I call on all Members of Congress to join me in condemning this pathetic, misleading action by MoveOn.org, regardless of their views on the best way to extend the life of the valuable SCHIP program.”

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