Nation

For two hours the House debated a Democratic proposal that would have banned any new U.S. funds to the contras fighting Nicaragua's Sandinista government. Even supporters of such a total ban viewed it as doomed. As soon as it was defeated, they figured, they would offer another measure that would give President Reagan a fraction of the $100 million he wants in contra aid. But as the scoreboard ticked off the tally, Democrats watched in amazement. The measure was winning, mainly because few Republicans were voting. Suddenly, with time running out, the Republicans pushed their vote buttons in a rush and -- what was this? -- all but one hit the aye choice. The ban passed, 361 to 66. Republicans stood in the chamber, applauding and laughing.

Across the aisle, the realization slowly dawned on the Democrats that the G.O.P. had outfoxed them. After the House rebuffed contra aid a month ago, Speaker Tip O'Neill had agreed to bring the matter back to the House floor -- but only if it was attached to a supplemental appropriations bill packed with goodies for legislators. He knew that the President was opposed to the pork-barrel bill. He also knew that it would take weeks or months before the House version could be reconciled with a Senate bill and put into a form that Reagan might sign. Thus, attaching the contra aid to the spending bill meant at least a long delay in money for the rebels, and even then, it would pose a difficult decision for Reagan on whether to veto the combined legislation.

After last week's vote, Republican Leader Bob Michel charged that the Democrats were playing a "variation of the old con game, 'Heads I win; tails you lose.' " Declared Michel: "We refuse to play." Recognizing that he had been outwitted, O'Neill withdrew the measure. But where did that leave the contras? In confused limbo. The Senate has approved the President's aid request; the House has not. Michel announced that he intends to seek a "clean" vote on the funding by rounding up the required signatures of a majority of the House (218 members) to bring a bill directly to the floor. If he succeeds, the earliest vote could come on May 12. If he fails, the contra funding would be at least indefinitely delayed.

While unfortunate, the congressional indecision may also be understandable. A New York Times/CBS News poll last week showed that, despite all the heat in Washington on the issue, only 38% of Americans are even aware that the U.S. has backed the contras in their fight against the Sandinista regime.