Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor of the House version of the Stem Cell Research Act of 2007, I rise in strong support for S. 5.
I firmly believe that stem cell research holds the promise of scientific breakthroughs and finding cures for life-threatening diseases that could improve the lives of millions of Americans. We should allow the expansion of federally funded research of human embryonic stem cell lines. This bipartisan legislation would accomplish that while establishing ethical guidelines.
This is an issue that affects every family in America. A majority of the American people support stem cell research. I was disappointed that the President exercised his first veto last year on a piece of similar legislation that has bipartisan support. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 will be soon on the President’s desk for his signature. I hope this time the President will listen to Congress and the American people rather than to the extreme right of his own political party and not wield his veto pen on such promising legislation. We cannot put politics over the health of the American people.
Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my House colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.