Posted on 05/26/2005 6:16:21 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Orrin Hatch expressed support Wednesday for the controversial bill to expand federal support of embryonic stem cell research, making a clear break from President Bush who has vowed to veto the measure.
"I respect President Bush's views on this issue, and I fully support his efforts to promote embryo adoption in this country ..." the Utah Republican said at a news conference.
"But I know, as a long standing pro-life Senator, that it is possible to be both anti-abortion and pro-embryonic stem cell research. I am pleased that many Right-to-Life Congressmen reached the same conclusion when the House voted yesterday."
Hatch said after carefully considering the issue and praying about it, he determined "that human life does not begin in a Petri dish."
Mary Jane Collipriest, spokeswoman for Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, said the senator is still reviewing the act.
The House approved the legislation Tuesday. Utah's three representatives split, with Republicans Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon opposing the measure and Democrat Jim Matheson supporting it.
Proponents say federal funding for the research on days-old embryos, using a process that destroys them, would accelerate the search for treatments and perhaps cures for diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. They say the embryos would have been discarded anyway.
Opponents dispute that, questioning any evidence that embryonic stem cell research will lead to cures. They say taxpayers should not be forced to finance science they see as an attack on unborn babies and Bush's "culture of life."
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid called Wednesday for a swift vote on the legislation and said Bush was "wrong politically, morally and scientifically" for opposing the measure.
Echoing claims made by House supporters of the legislation, the Nevada Democrat said embryonic stem cell research holds the promise of helping millions afflicted with diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease and other illnesses.
He urged an "up-or-down vote," meaning one with no amendments allowed.
Meanwhile, the Republican chief sponsor of the Senate bill, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who is being treated for cancer, made a personal appeal for quick action on behalf of the nation's critically ill, "some of them, myself.
"I look in the mirror very day, barely recognize myself," said Specter, whose hair has been lost to chemotherapy treatment. "And not to have the availability of the best of medical care is simply atrocious."
The companion Senate bill, sponsored by Sens. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa and Specter, would lift Bush's 2001 restrictions on federal funding for new embryonic stem cell research. Senate opponents have threatened a filibuster, but supporters say they have more than the 60 votes needed to overcome it.
The measure is not yet scheduled for Senate floor debate.
"The American people cannot afford to wait any longer for our top scientists to realize the full potential of stem cell research," said Harkin.
The Republican-controlled House's approval of the bill Tuesday stung some abortion opponents even though it fell far short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto. Such an action by Bush would be the first of his presidency.
Bush says he opposes the bill because it would open the way for federally funded research that could create life to destroy it.
PTOOIE!
Ping to pro-life interested people...
You can write him from this page:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=UT
That's what I want to know. Murder is murder. He's sold out.
But there is no justification for forcing me to fund that research through the use of tax payer dollars anymore than we should be compelled to fund abortions.
If you want to have embryonic stem cell research, then fund it with your own money.
I know, I know. That kind of thinking is "out of the mainstream".
Where the hell did you get an idea like that?!?!
I'm spitting at Hatch based on his support of the bill...
Hello?
Iraq was the right decision, and the nation went to war to promote democracy and keep us safer from terror. There was precision bombing involved, and innocents were spared from unnecessary deaths, even to the point of putting our troops in danger.
Embryonic Stem Cell research is a war on the innocent unborn. There is no good that can come from these innocent deaths, or desecrating their bodies. To create life in order to kill it is immensely wrong.
I am so sick and tired of the demonic forces seeking human sacrifice to achieve eternal or extended life. Their stated goals can still be achieved if they were to just return to their old fashioned technique of just eating the fetus alive. Black craft has done it for ages and now they demand it be legal and paid for by all so all may be damned. This is undoubtedly judgement day for this country.
Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Psalm 139:13
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 :I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 :My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 :Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Galatians 1:15
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,…
Isaiah 49:1 :
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
Matthew 18:5
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Deuteronomy 30:19
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and
death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."
Proverbs 6:16 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood
Exodus 20:13
Thou shalt not kill.
Amen!
They desperately want to do this so they can patent the cell lines and make money off of them as medicines, rather than patenting techniques to use your own stem cells for your own healing...less $$$$.....
It doesn't matter if Hatch supports it or not. The vote in the House proves there will not be a 2/3 majority to override the president's veto and this is one bill he will veto.
You know it!
Restoring Specter's formerly-dyed hair is supposed to be a good reason for destroying human lives???
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