Calls on President to Show His Compassionate Conservatism and Sign the Bill
June 7, 2007
By Leslie Oliver
Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) voted along with a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives to give hope to millions of Americans by expanding scientists’ access to embryonic stem cell lines.
The measure, S. 5, passed the House by a vote of 247 to 176.
“This is a bill that holds promise for millions of people across the country,” stated Perlmutter from the floor of the House. “I’m a father of a daughter with a chronic illness, and this is the kind of research that could help my daughter not to have any more seizures.”
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 today, the House is sending the bill directly to the President’s desk.
This bill expands 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 now are 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.
“This legislation offers the possibility and promise to every father, mother, brother and sister who wants to have hope for their friends and their family,” said Perlmutter. “I want to compliment my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for giving my family hope and promise by passing this bill.”
“With this legislation, Congress is making a real difference to millions of Americans. I call on President Bush to show that he is a compassionate conservative and sign this bill,” stated Perlmutter.
