Topeka ? Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt says his main rival for the U.S. Senate supported services for illegal immigrants by voting for a children’s health bill last year.

Tiahrt began airing a new television ad Monday attacking fellow Republican Congressman Jerry Moran.

The ad says Moran voted to provide taxpayer-funded health care coverage for illegal immigrants. The Moran campaign contends that Tiahrt is misleading voters.

The TV spot cites a vote by Moran in January 2009 in favor of a bill reauthorizing and expanding the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

GOP critics — including Tiahrt — say the bill weakened requirements that children prove they’re in the country legally to get coverage.

However, state officials disagree.