House Passes Stem Cell Bill, But Not By Veto-Proof Majority
Legislative Update
January 11, 2007
As part of its "first 100 hours" strategy, the Democratic leadership introduced House and Senate versions of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 3 and S 5), which are essentially the same bills passed in the 109th Congress to expand the Administration’s embryonic stem cell policy that were vetoed by the President. On January 11, the House passed the bill 253-174, short of the 290 votes needed to override a Presidential veto. House bill sponsor Cong. Diana DeGette (D-CO) stated that, "…we are going to come back time after time until the bill passes." Senate action is imminent, and Senate LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Tom Harkin (D-IA) has announced that he would attach a stem cell bill to FY2008 LHHS appropriations should stand-alone legislation be vetoed by the President.
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