Today, Congressman Loebsack voted for S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. With this vote, Congressman Loebsack and the House of Representatives gave hope to 100 million Americans by greatly expanding scientists’ access to embryonic stem cell lines.
“Today Members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, joined together to put patients first by passing this stem cell research enhancement bill,” said Congressman Loebsack. “This research has the support of more than 70 percent of Americans and I hope that, this year, the President will reconsider his veto threat and listen to the voices of the American people by signing this bill.”
The House had passed a similar bill (H.R. 3) as part of the “100 Hours Agenda” in January. The Senate then passed S. 5 in April. By passing the Senate-passed S. 5 with strong bipartisan support, the House is sending the bill directly to the President’s desk.
This bill would expand the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research by lifting the restrictions on the embryonic stem cell lines that can be used for federally-funded research – restrictions that were imposed by President Bush in 2001. Most of the stem cell lines authorized for federally-funded research under the President’s policy are now no longer useful for research. However, the bill only authorizes federal research funds for stem cell lines generated from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. The bill also creates an ethical framework that must be followed in conducting this research under the guidance of the National Institutes of Health.
“More than 100 million Americans suffer from cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases and disorders for which stem cell research holds great promise,” noted Congressman Loebsack. “It is time we work to find new and better treatments and cures; it is time we allow this research to move forward.”
The bill is supported by more than 500 organizations, including the American Medical Association, AARP, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as many faith-based groups.
This stem cell research bill passed the Congress in the 109th Congress, but unfortunately was vetoed by President Bush in July 2006.
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