House Passes Stem Cell Bill; President Bush Expected to Veto

June 7, 2007 – As expected, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate version of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 5) by a vote of 247 to 176. The Society thanks all those who participated in recent ASH advocacy campaigns on this issue.

Earlier this year, the House and Senate each passed their respective versions of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 3 and S. 5). Slight differences between the two bills necessitated reconsideration of S. 5 by the House.

S. 5 will now be sent to the White House for President Bush's consideration. The President has reiterated his intention to once again veto this legislation. If vetoed, the Senate will try to override the President’s veto of this bill. Sixty-seven votes are necessary in the Senate to override a presidential veto. A 67 vote majority in the Senate appears very close, and it is not clear how or if the recent death of Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY) will affect this vote. With such a close margin, continued grassroots advocacy in support of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act will be critical.

Please visit the ASH Advocacy Center for continued opportunities to contact President Bush and Congress on this important issue.

Additionally, ASH's policy in support of all avenues of stem cell research and the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISCCR) Guidelines for the Conduct of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, which ASH has endorsed, are available online.