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DeGette on the Stem Cell Bill

Here is Rep. Diana DeGette's press release which I just received by e-mail:

Behind the near-unanimous support of Democrats, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, authored by U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO). The legislation will expand the number of embryonic stem cell lines eligible for federal research funding through the National Institutes of Health by removing the arbitrary August 9, 2001 date and impose strict ethical controls on the research. The bill passed by a vote of 238 to 194.

"Today, a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives took a critical step to helping extend or save the lives of potentially millions of Americans. By passing legislation, we are moving to reassert America's ethical and scientific leadership on embryonic stem cell research," said Rep. DeGette.

"This is a victory for science that is guided by the strict ethical controls that reflect our nation's values. It is a victory for bipartisanship, as an all-too-rare coalition of conservatives and liberals, pro-life and pro-choice Members found common ground to pass this bill. Most importantly, it is a victory for the 100 million Americans who have or know someone who has a disease like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Type 1 diabetes, cancers or nerve injuries," said Rep. DeGette. "Now, we will continue this fight in the Senate, where stem cell research has the same, extremely strong bipartisan support"

Rep. DeGette began working to expand federal support for stem cell research in 2001, before President Bush imposed strict limitations on stem cell lines eligible for funding. She was joined in this effort in 2004 by Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) who co-sponsored stem cell legislation. The bill was reintroduced in 2005 and garnered 200 cosponsors.

Here's what Diana DeGette said last week about Bush's threatened veto:

“It's disappointing that the President would threaten to use his first veto on a bill that holds promise for cures to diseases that affect millions of Americans. We hope that the President will discuss this issue with us and our Senate allies as the bill makes its way through the legislative process. Support for expanding federal stem cell research in an ethical manner remains strong in Congress. We do not believe that the President’s statement today will impact the vote count on the bill scheduled for the floor next week.”

Both the Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News endorsed the bill.

< Stem Cell Research Bill Passes | Marijuana Policy Project In Denver Wednesday >
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    Re: DeGette on the Stem Cell Bill (none / 0) (#1)
    by Ambiorix on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:20 PM EST
    If the President is going to veto a bill that is supported by a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives, because his minority theocratic support is against that bill, what kind of democracy are the American Soldiers dying for in Iraq.

    Re: DeGette on the Stem Cell Bill (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:20 PM EST
    The kind where the far-right get everything and the rest of you can all go to hell...

    Re: DeGette on the Stem Cell Bill (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:20 PM EST
    Slate has a William Saletan piece on "The People Bush Would Kill To Save Lives," on the President's hypocrisy regarding stem cell research and capital punishment...