Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Council of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) today blasted Members of Congress, including Reps. John Peterson (R-5), Joseph Pitts (R-16) and Bill Shuster (R-9), who refused to override President Bush’s SCHIP veto, and pledged to continue fighting to win healthcare for 10 million uninsured children.

Thomas V. DeBruin, President of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, applauded those Representatives who stood up to President Bush by voting “yes” on the veto override while denouncing those who voted no.

“Representatives Peterson, Pitts and Shuster didn't have what it takes to stand up for what is right, and children across Pennsylvania will pay the price. It was a shameful vote,” said DeBruin. “A handful of politicians in Washington, DC must not be allowed to take health insurance away from 10 million children.”

As part of a national grassroots and advertising campaign supporting the SCHIP legislation, SEIU spent $1.9 million on print, radio, and television ads, helped tens of thousands of people to send emails and make phone calls into congressional offices, and orchestrated hundreds of press conferences, rallies, and vigils in targeted districts around the country.

“This fight is far from over,” DeBruin said. “We cannot let politics get in the way of priorities. There are millions of uninsured children in this country who are depending on us, and we will not rest until they get the coverage they need.”

SEIU pledged to continue to pressure the Members of Congress who voted against the override to change their position and support healthcare for kids.