Daily Women's Health Policy
National Politics & Policy | Senate Unlikely To Consider Embryonic Stem Cell
Legislation in Upcoming 'Health Week' Debates, Frist's Office Says
[May 05, 2006]
It is unlikely there will be debate on legislation (HR 810, S 471)
that would expand federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research
during an upcoming week of discussion that Republicans are calling "Health
Week," the office of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said on
Thursday, CQ HealthBeat reports (Crowley, CQ HealthBeat, 5/4). The Stem Cell
Research Enhancement Act of 2005 -- which has been approved by the House but
has stalled in the Senate -- would allow funding for research using stem
cells derived from embryos originally created for fertility treatments and
willingly donated by patients. President Bush on Aug. 9, 2001, announced a
policy that allows federal funding for embryonic stem cell research only
when it uses stem cell lines created on or before that date. Bush has
threatened to veto the embryonic stem cell bill if it is passed by the
Senate. Frist in October 2005 agreed to make consideration of the bill a
priority when Congress reconvened in January 2006, according to Sen. Arlen
Specter (R-Pa.) (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 5/4). Sen. Tom
Harkin (D-Iowa) last summer agreed to delay debate on the bill after Frist
said he would bring the issue to the floor for debate. Frist in December
2005 instead proposed consideration of alternative legislation (HR 2520)
that was signed into law later that month and encourages the use of stem
cells that are taken from umbilical cords after the delivery of an infant,
CQ HealthBeat reports. According to CQ HealthBeat, the measure was discussed
"despite Harkin's request that [it] be considered only in tandem with HR
810." Forty Senate Democrats, including Reid and Harkin, in a letter on
Tuesday called on Frist to add the embryonic stem cell bill to the agenda
when the Senate considers several other health-related bills that will be
discussed during Health Week, which is could begin May 8 (CQ HealthBeat,
5/4).
Next Steps, Comments
Frist in an interview said he expects a vote on stem cell legislation this
year, adding, "There are a lot of ideas percolating. ...
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