Few Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill have found themselves in as tight a political vise as U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards. Yet his decision to resist the immense pressure exerted on him to vote for the costly and corrupt Senate health insurance reform package up for a vote this week readily wins our admiration and respect.

As the Waco Democrat did just last fall when the House health care reform bill came up for a vote, Edwards has resisted the arguments of no less than President Barack Obama. In doing so, he bows to the deep reservations that his constituents have in Central Texas. Even Waco Tea Party members cheered Edwards’ announcement Tuesday, mounting a rally near his Waco office to honk horns in support of the lawmaker.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has often backed Republicans, responded quickly to news of Edwards’ announcement, even running a TV commercial urging Central Texans to phone him their gratitude for his promised vote against health insurance reform. In praising Edwards, Bill Hammond, president of the Texas Association of Business, told a Trib editorial board member Tuesday that Edwards has often sided with constituents rather than party ideology.

In this instance, we side with the hearty sentiments of local entrepreneur Greg Jones, who rallied with other Tea Party folks near Edwards’ Waco office this week. When interviewed by our friends at KXXV-TV, Jones said his attitude is to “give credit where credit is due.” Fair enough.

We’re happy, too, that Edwards has also come out squarely against the sleight-of-hand procedures under consideration by Democratic leadership, allowing members to deem the $875 billion Senate bill passed — but without actually voting for it.

“If health care legislation is considered on the House floor under the so-called ‘deeming resolution,’ I will vote against it because Americans deserve a clear process that allows for an up-or-down vote on the health care bill,” Edwards said in a statement. “I voted ‘no’ on the House health care reform bill last November, and I will be a ‘no’ vote on the final health care reform bill. In Budget Committee Monday, I voted to put a stop to this process altogether by voting against using reconciliation to pass health care, and I will vote against it on the floor.”

We seriously doubt that Edwards got any “pass” from Democratic leaders to vote against this bill, a groundless charge leveled at him last fall. Anyone who believes that this time isn’t aware of the pressure to pass this legislation. We only hope that Edwards’ unquestioned reputation for integrity sways colleagues to vote against this Pandora’s box of ills.