WASHINGTON — Defying a veto threat from President Bush, the House voted Tuesday to loosen restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, siding with patients who have debilitating diseases over social conservatives who call the research immoral.
The 238-194 vote brought together most Democrats and a group of 50 Republicans, whose support put them at odds with the conservative House leadership. While proponents fell well short of the two-thirds majority they would need to override a veto, sponsors of the bill said they hoped the vote would draw Bush into talks on a compromise that would expand federal support for the research.
The House vote put Bush in a predicament. Social conservatives who are a core part of the Republican base object to the research because it destroys human embryos. Bush has said he would use the first-ever veto of his presidency to ensure limits on the research are not eased.
But a veto might have repercussions at the polls. Many patient groups and scientists say that the research has the potential to cure diseases, and a recent Gallup poll found that 60% of Americans find it morally acceptable.
The legislation also has strong support in the Republican-dominated Senate.
On Tuesday, Bush stood his ground. After meeting with families who have had children from embryos donated by other couples, the president said the vote raised "grave moral issues."
"This bill would take us across a critical ethical line by creating new incentives for the ongoing destruction of emerging human life," Bush said. "Crossing this line would be a great mistake."
On the House floor, Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) likened embryonic stem cell research to "killing some in the hopes of saving others." But his impassioned appeal was of little avail.
It was the second time in two days that GOP moderates bucked the conservative congressional leadership.
On Monday, a group of Republican Senate moderates had helped stop a drive by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) to strip Democrats of the ability to block Bush's judicial nominees by filibuster.
Among those asking lawmakers to support the stem cell bill was Rep. James R. Langevin (D-R.I.), whose spine was severed in a gun accident as a teen. Langevin said he believed embryonic stem cell research was "very consistent" with his opposition to abortion.
