DeGette Vows To Get Stem Cell Bill Past Bush Veto

Jan 26, 2007 4:32 pm US/Mountain
(AP) DENVER Colorado Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette vowed Friday to find a way to get the embryonic stem-cell research bill past another veto by President Bush, even if Democrats have to attach it to must-pass legislation.

"He can do this the easy way, or he can do this the hard way," said DeGette, co-sponsor of the measure with Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del.

The bill passed the House two weeks ago on a 253-174 vote, but DeGette said she doesn't have the 290 votes it would take to override a veto. The bill is now headed to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.

Bush vetoed identical legislation last year and the White House has promised he would veto it again, saying the bill "would use federal taxpayer dollars to support and encourage the destruction of human life for research."

DeGette said she offered to talk with Bush about the issue, but the White House said he wasn't available.

The issue is whether taxpayer funds should underwrite research on stem cells taken from human embryos.

Supporters, who include former first lady Nancy Reagan, say the research could lead to cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer and Parkinson's.

But it draws fierce opposition from abortion foes because the research typically involves the destruction of frozen embryos created for in vitro fertilization. Proponents say the research is done on embryos that would otherwise be discarded from fertility clinics anyway.

DeGette said her measure got a boost in the last election when 14 incumbents who opposed the bill were defeated by candidates who support it.

"What this said to me was this was a huge issue in the election," she said.