A preview of the new Congress
The same embryonic stem cell bill that prompted President Bush’s only veto is headed to his desk again, this time from Democrats who have it atop their agenda when they take control of Congress in January.
It’s uncertain whether supporters of the measure can muster enough votes to override another veto.
The bill, which would expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, is supported by a majority of Americans as a way to speed the search for possible cures for dozens of diseases.
Who wrote this Associated Press article I wonder. And what is their source on the claim that a majority of Americans support the bill expanding federal funding of embryonic stem cell research?Â
It is staunchly opposed by Bush and others who liken the process to abortion since it requires the destruction of human embryos.
Think through that sentence. What is the destruction of human embryos but the ending — aborting — of human life?
White House spokesman Tony Fratto said he would not “issue veto threats on hypothetical legislation” but added that Bush’s position on the issue hasn’t changed.
During the last session of Congress, the bill fell 51 votes short in the House of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto, while Senate supporters needed four votes to get to the 67 required. Activists on both sides of the issue say new override votes would be cliffhangers.
One thing is sure: The new leaders of the House and Senate plan to pass the bill within weeks of gaveling open the 110th Congress in January in an attempt to either get Bush to sign it or force a presidential veto early in the lame-duck years of his presidency.
House Speaker-in-waiting Nancy Pelosi has queued up the bill for passage in the first 100 hours of business. The Senate could act on it before the first month is out.
“We are going to move it fairly quickly,” said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the next Senate majority leader.
One more consequence of the elections. When this comes up for a vote in both houses of Congress, let’s see how all those “blue dog Democrats” elected on conservative, pro-life principles cast theirs. And notice whether their party leadership, quoted above, pays any attention. The electorate will.
