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 Policy & Practice News |
Update on Stem Cell Legislation
Stem Cell Bill Passes Senate; Presidential Veto Expected; Contact White House
and Congress Now!
July 19, 2006 – By a vote of 63 to 37, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 810,
the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Having passed the House last year, the
bill now will be sent to President Bush to sign into law. Unfortunately, despite
support from both the House and Senate and about 70 percent of the American
public, the president is expected to use his veto authority for the first time
on this bill. ASH has learned that President Bush may veto this bill early this
afternoon and then issue a statement to the Congress by mid-afternoon. To override
a veto, there needs to be a 2/3 majority vote in both the House and Senate.
The House is expected to vote as early as this afternoon and is not expected
to override. If this is the case, the Senate will not vote.
ASH members have been vocal advocates in support of H.R. 810. The ASH Grassroots
Network helped in the effort to pass this bill in the House of Representatives,
to secure the vote in the Senate, and to pass it in the Senate.
Research advocates are being asked to call the White House, even after the
president’s announcement, to let President Bush know the importance of
H.R. 810 and our disappointment if this is not enacted into law. There are three
different numbers available:
202-456-1414
202-395-3000
202-456-1111
In addition, advocates need to contact members of the House now and ask them
to continue the Congressional commitment to cures and to vote for H.R. 810 and
override the veto. Given the time constraint, you can call the U.S. Capitol
switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Member of Congress, or send an
e-mail through the ASH
Advocacy Center.
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