get publicly involved in the political fight for really the first time. this goes beyond, say, urging young people to sign up for health insurance, as we have seen her do. she's now taking a position in a legislative debate and i over an issue she's been passionate about as first lady and as a mother. children and healthy eating. >> it's unacceptable to me not just as first lady but as a mother. >> reporter: fighting words from the first lady. sending a message to house republicans who want to relax school nutrition standards she fought for four years ago. >> the last thing that we can afford to do right now is play politics with our kids' health, especially when we're finally starting to see some progress on this issue. >> reporter: it's part of a rare political push by mrs. obama to battle a bill that would give schools facing financial problems an extra year to comply with rules to limit fat and sodium and encourage more truts and vegetables in school meals.