Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on House Passage of Stem Cell Research Legislation
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today issued the following statement on House approval of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R.3). Senator Clinton is an original cosponsor of the Senate version of the legislation (S.5).
"Today's vote in the House is a critical step toward realizing the potential of stem cell research, which holds great hope of providing cures for chronic, incurable conditions from which millions of Americans suffer. There is a broad consensus in the Congress, among medical experts, scientists, and patient advocacy organizations, and among the American people, demanding that we open the doors to scientific innovation - instead of barring those doors shut.
While American scientists are being held back, other countries are racing ahead, putting billions of dollars into stem cell science - creating research institutions, clinical centers, and investments of all kinds to attract scientists from the United States and elsewhere who will come to pursue this research.
It's past time to put an end to the Bush Administration policy which is holding science back and holding our nation back in the race to new medical treatments and discoveries.
I applaud the House passage of this vital bill that holds promise for millions of Americans, and urge the president to reconsider his threat to veto this legislation."