Representative Roscoe G. Bartlett is confident that in voting against a $35 billion expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, he reflected the views of his conservative Congressional district in western Maryland. But some of his constituents are not so sure.
“It’s a good program,” said Edward Wrzesinski Jr., a Republican who manages Frederick Primary Care Associates, a group practice with 24 doctors and eight offices. “It’s benefiting children.”
Mr. Bartlett, a Republican, was the only member of the Maryland delegation to vote against the bill, and he is coming under intense pressure to switch sides as the House moves toward a vote next week on whether to override President Bush’s veto of the legislation.
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I can’t believe that the same Republicans who oversaw the largest expansion of the federal government since FDR are still trying to hide behind that “small government” canard. I guess big government is okay when you’re invading countries, helping your rich buddies get huge tax breaks, enriching Haliburton, torturing American citizens, wiretapping without warrants, or getting rid of Habeas Corpus - but helping poor kids get health insurance. That’s where they draw the line!