Statement By Congressman Bernie Sanders on President Bush's Veto of Stem Cell Legislation

STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN BERNIE SANDERS ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S VETO OF STEM CELL LEGISLATION

Today President Bush issued his first veto since taking office to H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Passed by a vote of 238 to 194 in the House and 63 to 37 in the Senate, this legislation lifts President Bush's ban on federal funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines derived from surplus embryos that would otherwise be discarded from in vitro fertilization clinics. The House is expected to hold a vote to override the President's veto this afternoon. Congressman Sanders will vote to override the President's veto.

Congressman Bernie Sanders said, "The fact that President Bush has used his first ever veto to block stem cell research is a slap in the face to millions of Americans who stand to benefit from the medical breakthroughs this research could provide. Embryonic stem cell research has the support of leading scientists, health care organizations, and patient advocacy groups because it has great potential to reveal new treatments and cures for ailments such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, stroke, and spinal cord injuries. With this veto, President Bush is allowing political ideology to usurp scientific discovery and stand in the way of critical medical research."

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/document.asp?issueNum=4963