Federal funding for stem cell research is officially on the table again, and may very well be introduced in the next month. I am running around and shrieking with glee!!! This is like every Christmas present wrapped into one. Just the fact that they are trying to get this passed again fills my heart with love and goodwill towards every Democrat in the new Congress… maybe some left over for Republicans who vote for the bill… who knows.
Well? Can’t there be a HAPPY rant? 
Will there be enough votes to override the veto this time?
:dubious:
That’s the million dollar question. I’m afraid the answer is no, but hoping to be pleasantly surprised…
We don’r DO vetoes. The pres will simply issue a signing statement indicating that the way he interprets the bill, the secretary of HEW and any other executive official must be able to prove to the satisfaction of the President that no babies were harmed before he is authorized to release any funds, and that, clearly, the U.S. Marshall’s office has the power to investigate (including seeking a stop work injunction) any facility engaged in such behavior to ascertain that no Federal funds were inappropriately used (say, by the hiring of any person who may have received a Federal grant, a GI Bill education, etc.) if any baby (as determined by the President) might be harmed, before the facility is permitted to move forward on any study.
Did you miss the one when he did veto the (embryonic) stem cell bill earlier this year? He’ll do it again, too. The problem isn’t Congress-- they aleady acted before the election.
In fact, I had missed that veto.
The OP probably did, too. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act passed 63-37 in the Senate in July of this year and 238 to 194 in the House in May of last year.
True, of course. However, I think they’re bringing it up again in hopes of a different result.
Perhaps I should explain exactly why I went off on a happy rant. If retinal stem cell research ever really comes through, I will be able to see normally again. It’s really the best chance I have. Now, this specific type maybe could happen without the embryonic bill ever being passed, since my retinal specialist explains that it is actually further along right now than any other type. But honestly, we don’t know for sure. We need lots of options. And then there are all the OTHER people who need it for other things…
IIRC, that’s the only time W has used the veto pen.
Of course in his case it’s a veto crayon.
YDRC-- you do recall correctly. 
Sorry to hear about your vision impairment, Anise. If Congress doesn’t get a veto proof majority this time, it’s almost certain that the next president (only 2 years away) would not veto a similar bill. Meanwhile, some of the states (including mine) are allocating money on their own. Remember that the current law does not forbid the research itself, but rather it witholds federal funds except for the few stem cell lines identified for funding during Bush’s 1st term.
With the change in makeup of both the Senate and House, and taking into consideration the very close votes you’ve listed, it does not seem at all unlikely that Congress will be able to override the veto this time.
Wouldn’t it be great if all those politicians who kept voting against stem cell research were kept from enjoying any benefits which arise from it, once it does go through?
“I see here, Congressman, that you voted against stem cell research several years ago. Sorry, no new retinas for you.”
In the Senate, probably, but I doubt it in the House. They need >290 votes to override a veto. How many seats did the Dems pick up in the House-- 30?
If 238 to 194 in the House last time then +30 would only need 22 defections. It is possible they might get enough congressmen worried about re-election to jump over.
We can hope.
That is just wrong. Of course he used a pen.
How he used the pen: Cheney just had to guide his hand is all.
Jim
Can you say “Stem Cell Bill Loaded with Pork”?
Mmmmm… pork!
I bet some day we’ll be able to grow meat in a lab, maybe from muscle-derived stem cells, or perhaps even ESCs. Want a pork roast? Well instead of slaughtering some poor pig, now you just reach into the handy-dandy bioreactor over here and cut yourself a slab o’ Grade A meat culture. Mmmm. Juicy!
There’s a house leadership for it instead of against it this time. I suspect some of the 30 replaced moderate Republicans who voted for the stem cell bill got replaced.
On the other hand, the election results show that being anti-stem cell may be dangerous to their political health, and voting against a Bush veto beneficial.
Sounds like a nice idea.
Of course, once that can be done I wonder if anyone will give a damn if pigs, cows, and chickens go extinct.
-Joe