Stem Cell Veto Should Be Circumvented (Rep. Brown-Waite)

I was very disappointed to see that President Bush vetoed S. 5 yesterday, a bill that passed the House and Senate by significant majorities.  Like most Americans, I am concerned that the untapped potential of stem cell research may be falling by the wayside.  It is because of my strong respect for and commitment to life that I supported this bill earlier this month.  The sad fact of life is that many of our loved ones suffer from debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

My district in Florida has many residents who could benefit from stem cell research, including the most Social Security and Medicare recipients of any Member of Congress.  Embryonic stem cell research holds promise to cure these illnesses.  I would sincerely hope that enough Members of the House and the Senate would unite in support of this bill to override the President’s veto and not cut this funding off at the pass.  S. 5 brings hope forth from embryos that would otherwise be discarded, and only allows research after donors have declined the option to give the embryos up for adoption.  Overriding the President’s veto will provide hope to millions of Americans suffering from terminal diseases.  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of life by working to override the President’s veto.