Embryonic Stem Cell Research

EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH -- (House of Representatives - July 19, 2006)

(Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, President Bush has not vetoed a single bill, even though this Republican Congress has passed some really lousy legislation. It is amazing to me that he would choose his first veto on a bill that is critical to finding cures for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, MS, and so many other diseases.

H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act offers real hope, and the President should not veto it. Washington Republicans, worried that a veto of this important and popular bill will damage them politically, are also pushing two other bills.

The American people will not be deceived. They know that H.R. 810 is the real deal, and that it deserves to become law.

This week the American Medical Association and 92 other organizations sent out a letter stating, and I quote, ``Only H.R. 810 will move stem cell research forward in our country. This is the bill that holds promise for expanding medical breakthroughs. The other two bills are not substitutes for a `yes' vote on H.R. 810.'' They conclude by saying that H.R. 810 is the ``pro-patient and pro-research bill.''

Madam Speaker, President Bush has a choice to make. He can act on behalf of his extreme right wing, or he can act on behalf of millions of Americans who are suffering from terrible diseases. I hope he makes the right choice.

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