WASHINGTON — The House plunged back into the emotional debate over embryonic stem cells Thursday, voting to expand federal funding for the controversial research.
The bill, part of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's 100-hour agenda, has broad support in both chambers, but is expected to face opposition from President Bush, who imposed strict limits on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in 2001, and in 2006 used his veto power for the only time to reject an identical bill.
"It is time for President Bush to allow this groundbreaking research to move forward," said Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), author of the bill, whose 13-year-old daughter has diabetes. "The American people clearly support scientific funding and the use of embryonic stem cells to address some of our most debilitating diseases."
The bill passed 253 to 174, with 37 Republicans joining most Democrats in favor, and 16 Democrats opposing it.
In three hours of often charged debate, some lawmakers spoke of family and friends who they said could be helped by embryonic stem cells, while others warned that the legislation would involve the government in the destruction of human embryos.
Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) rose to speak about his young daughter's malignant brain tumor and his hopes that the research would not be ignored. "Why would we preclude options for potential treatment?" he asked.
But Georgia Republican John Linder warned of a hidden agenda. "Are we seeking a way of getting the government's imprimatur on ending a life that is not useful?" he asked. Referring to Adolf Hitler, he said: "The first in the gas chamber were retarded children.... We are moving in that direction today."
All of California's Democrats voted for the measure. It also received backing from GOP Reps. Mary Bono of Palm Springs, Ken Calvert of Corona, David Dreier of San Dimas, Darrell Issa of Vista, Jerry Lewis of Redlands, Howard P. "Buck" McKeon of Santa Clarita, Dana Rohrabacher of Huntington Beach and Brian Bilbray of Solana Beach.
Embryonic stem cells are valuable to researchers because they can be coaxed to grow into any kind of tissue. Scientists see an opportunity for medical advances on diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes, as well as spinal cord injuries, but the field is still in its infancy.
The House legislation would allow federal funding for research on stem cells drawn from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. They could be used only if the donors gave written consent and received no money or inducement.
