Stem Cell Research Bill
Today, Senator Bill Frist, the Senate Majority Leader, announced that he would support the stem cell research bill. This means the Specter-Harkin bill will be brought up for an up-or-down vote once the Senate reconvenes after the August recess.
WASHINGTON, July 28 - In a break with President Bush, the Senate Republican leader, Bill Frist, has decided to support a bill to expand federal financing for embryonic stem cell research, a move that could push it closer to passage and force a confrontation with the White House, which is threatening to veto the measure.
"While human embryonic stem cell research is still at a very early stage, the limitations put in place in 2001 will, over time, slow our ability to bring potential new treatments for certain diseases," Mr. Frist says, according to a text of the speech provided by his office Thursday evening. "Therefore, I believe the president's policy should be modified."
"Cure today may be just a theory, a hope, a dream," he says, in the conclusion of the text. "But the promise is powerful enough that I believe this research deserves our increased energy and focus. Embryonic stem cell research must be supported. It's time for a modified policy - the right policy for this moment in time."
Folks on the right are screaming that Frist has betrayed his 'right to life' position in favor of his family health care business getting more government contracts. Folks on the left are chortling because it appears that Dr. Flip-Flop has flipped once again in the hopes of garnering the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination.
Me, I don't care what his reasons are. I care deeply about this bill, as do the majority of Americans whether they have a vested interest in finding the cure for such conditions as spinal cord injuries, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, heart disease, cancer or not. It is the right thing to do.
The president has promised a veto, and I don't think he is backing off. The Press Gaggle of July 29,2005 did, however, contain some interesting language.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President has made his position very clear. Nothing has changed in terms of his position. We are going to continue to aggressively advance medical research, while also maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Q The Republican Party appears to be moving away from this President on this issue. How does he react to that?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that there are many Americans that share the President's view that we need to continue to explore and advance science, but we need to make sure that we maintain ethical standards. As I said, these are decisions that have far-reaching consequences. And that's why the President worked to find common ground on this difficult issue. [Emphasis added]
What needs to happen is a Senate vote that passes the bill by 61 or more votes. What also needs to happen is that members of the House who did not vote for the House version need to be brought around. If enough Americans make their wishes known in concrete fashion, I believe the President will not issue his first veto on this bill.
I urge you all not only to write your congress critters, but also to check in with StemPAC for further recommendations for action.
Do it. Now.
WASHINGTON, July 28 - In a break with President Bush, the Senate Republican leader, Bill Frist, has decided to support a bill to expand federal financing for embryonic stem cell research, a move that could push it closer to passage and force a confrontation with the White House, which is threatening to veto the measure.
"While human embryonic stem cell research is still at a very early stage, the limitations put in place in 2001 will, over time, slow our ability to bring potential new treatments for certain diseases," Mr. Frist says, according to a text of the speech provided by his office Thursday evening. "Therefore, I believe the president's policy should be modified."
"Cure today may be just a theory, a hope, a dream," he says, in the conclusion of the text. "But the promise is powerful enough that I believe this research deserves our increased energy and focus. Embryonic stem cell research must be supported. It's time for a modified policy - the right policy for this moment in time."
Folks on the right are screaming that Frist has betrayed his 'right to life' position in favor of his family health care business getting more government contracts. Folks on the left are chortling because it appears that Dr. Flip-Flop has flipped once again in the hopes of garnering the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination.
Me, I don't care what his reasons are. I care deeply about this bill, as do the majority of Americans whether they have a vested interest in finding the cure for such conditions as spinal cord injuries, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, heart disease, cancer or not. It is the right thing to do.
The president has promised a veto, and I don't think he is backing off. The Press Gaggle of July 29,2005 did, however, contain some interesting language.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President has made his position very clear. Nothing has changed in terms of his position. We are going to continue to aggressively advance medical research, while also maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Q The Republican Party appears to be moving away from this President on this issue. How does he react to that?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that there are many Americans that share the President's view that we need to continue to explore and advance science, but we need to make sure that we maintain ethical standards. As I said, these are decisions that have far-reaching consequences. And that's why the President worked to find common ground on this difficult issue. [Emphasis added]
What needs to happen is a Senate vote that passes the bill by 61 or more votes. What also needs to happen is that members of the House who did not vote for the House version need to be brought around. If enough Americans make their wishes known in concrete fashion, I believe the President will not issue his first veto on this bill.
I urge you all not only to write your congress critters, but also to check in with StemPAC for further recommendations for action.
Do it. Now.
posted by Diane at 3:48 PM
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