House Narrowly Passes Medicare Drug Bill - Bush hard presses wavering Reps.

Democrats held a slight lead in the vote count for most of the session. But the Republicans, who control the chamber, refused to close the vote. That allowed GOP leaders and President Bush -- who made several middle-of-the-night phone calls to wavering members -- to scour the floor for votes.

In the end, at about 6 a.m., they persuaded two junior members, Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter, R-Idaho, and Rep. Trent Franks, R-Arizona, to vote yes, tipping the scale in favor of the GOP-written bill.

"The president and I had a conversation and I did what I think was the right thing for the country," a visibly distressed Franks told a reporter while leaving the Capitol. "I don't have any other comment."

Insult was added to injury when a handful of Democrats switched their votes from "no" to "yes" once the GOP had its victory.

The final tally was 220 to 215.

16 Democrats voted Yes - 25 Republicans voted No.

In Texas 1 Democrat Conservative Stenholm -Y, GOP-Libertarian Ron Paul - N