159 Congresspeople Vote For Bad Government and Sicker Kids

The House passed the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program last night, 265-159. 40 Republicans and four Democrats -- who last month voted against healthy kids -- now felt the pressure, recognized that the conservative misinformation campaign was a failure, and switched their votes.

Yet enough conservatives voted for bad government and sick kids, preventing the bill from getting two-thirds support of the House, meaning they would be able to sustain an expected Bush veto.

Obstruction of the public will may still reign once again.

However, the issue may well get increased attention after the veto -- rare as they've been -- is actually cast. And then, the pressure may increase even more.

One Republican congresswoman lamented, "The administration has come to this debate very late, and, as a result, they're asking us to take one for the team here."

After the veto, voters may want to ask: why should our kids have to take one for your team?

Views expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future