Doyle laments lack of progress on stem cell bill

Doyle laments lack of progress on stem cell bill

Madison, Wis. – Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, noting that May 24 is the one-year anniversary of House passage of bipartisan legislation to overturn President Bush’s ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, said Congressional inaction is delaying critical scientific research.
Doyle noted that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, has yet to follow through on a commitment to schedule a vote on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810) in the U.S. Senate. The Governor urged passage of the bill, which would likely result in a presidential veto.
“One year ago, a group of Republican legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives had the courage to buck President Bush and join with Democrats to pass legislation to allow for the use of federal funds for stem cell research. Today marks one year of inaction by the U.S. Senate on this legislation.
“Sadly, the Senate’s inaction has delayed critical research that would move us closer to cures for life-threatening and debilitating diseases.”
Doyle and other advocates of stem cell research believe it has the potential to find cures for deadly diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, kidney disease, and multiple sclerosis.