WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) gave high marks to the Senate's proposed fiscal year 2008 budget resolution, released today, which includes a $15 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and an additional $3.5 billion over the President's request for health care for veterans. "I applaud Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad for putting forth a strong and sensible budget blueprint. This budget will go a long way toward preserving health care coverage for those who need it most," said Reed. SCHIP provides health insurance for over 20,000 Rhode Islanders with incomes that are too high to qualify for Medicaid but that cannot afford health insurance on their own. The budget resolution will include $15 billion to expand SCHIP in 2008 and an additional $35 billion could become available in the near future through spending reductions in other areas or new revenue. "SCHIP is a vital safety net for many Rhode Island families. It has successfully helped thousands of young people get the medical care and assistance they need," noted Reed. "The President's budget would make it harder to enroll low-income children. This budget blueprint wisely seeks to expand SCHIP so we cover more kids and families who need it." "We need a VA system that is able to serve all our veterans as honorably as they served our country," stated Reed, the acting Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs. "The biggest cost of any war is the human cost. Unfortunately, President Bush's past budgets and his Administration's mismanagement of Walter Reed have shortchanged our veterans and wounded soldiers. The increase in this budget will bring us closer to where we need to be to provide adequate care for all the veterans who need it." "This budget will help us to start cleaning up the Bush Administration's fiscal mess and get our financial house in order," concluded Reed. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to craft 12 balanced, responsible spending bills."