Rep. DeGette Applauds Senate Call for Swift Action on Stem Cell Bill

Rep. DeGette Applauds Senate Call for Swift Action on Stem Cell Bill

Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) today applauded the Senate Democratic leadership's call for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) to bring the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act to the Floor for debate.

"A year is too long to wait; it's time for Senator Frist to honor his promise from last year and bring this bill to a vote," said Rep. DeGette. "This is a rare opportunity for Congress to do something that can actually save lives. Senator Frist needs to put politics aside and take up this bill during health care week."

On May 23, 2005 the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, authored by Representatives DeGette and Mike Castle (R-DE). The legislation will expand the number of embryonic stem cell lines eligible for federal research funding through the National Institutes of Health by removing President Bush's arbitrary August 9, 2001 date, and impose strict ethical controls on the research. Two months later, Senator Frist announced his support for H.R. 810 and vowed to bring it before the Senate.

"Last year, a bipartisan majority of the House took an important step to helping millions of Americans by passing the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. That vote made it clear that stem cell research has support that transcends political party and ideology," said Rep. DeGette. "The American public overwhelmingly supports stem cell research and they are anxiously waiting for Senator Frist to do the right thing."

http://www.house.gov/list/press/co01_degette/senatestemcell.html