Stem Cell Research

The 110th Congress is in session, and high on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's agenda is a bill which would allow for expansion of the stem cell lines and federal funding for research. I got an email from StemPAC, the stem cell research PAC, with the news that the bill that passed in the last congress but was vetoed by the president is coming up this week.

On January 11, 2007, the House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 3, a bill to overturn President Bush's restrictions. The Senate is expected to vote shortly thereafter.

We didn't have the votes to override the veto in the last session. I've heard that we have the votes in the Senate, but at this point may not have them in the House. The "pro-death" forces will be out in force, so we need to counter by contacting our representatives. StemPAC has a handy email form that you can sign and send off. It's quick and easy and I urge you to click on over and do so.

I also urge you to call and/or fax your congressman/woman before Thursday and let their assistants know that you expect them to vote for the bill now, and in the event of a veto, on the override.

Let's let the new Congress know that we intend to stay interested on this and other needed legislation.