Frist Sets Outline for Debate
On Stem-Cell Research Bills
By SARAH LUECK
June 30, 2006; Page A5
WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, under heavy pressure to bring up a proposal to broaden federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, cleared the way for a vote on the issue, possibly in July.
The House already has passed a bill expanding stem-cell research funding, and the measure has strong bipartisan support in the Senate. It faces two major hurdles before enactment, though: It must get 60 votes to pass the Senate, and even if it does President Bush has said he will veto it.
The coming vote is a breakthrough for Mr. Frist, who faced criticism from Democrats for not bringing up the stem-cell bill sooner. After months of talks, he overcame objections from other Republicans, at least for now. Many conservatives oppose the research on the grounds that it destroys human life. But supporters, including health advocacy groups, hold out hope that it will lead to cures for debilitating illnesses.
Mr. Frist, who is weighing a run for president in 2008, last night announced a framework for debate that likely will allow Republicans to dispense with the volatile issue of stem-cell research relatively quickly, months before November's elections. Under final agreement, three bills will be debated at the same time. All will require 60 votes to pass. Once the allotted time is over, regardless of the outcome, no more stem-cell proposals will be considered for the rest of the session, Mr. Frist said.
In addition to the House-passed bill, the Senate also will vote on a proposal prohibiting "fetal farming," the implantation of embryos for the purpose of harvesting their tissue, as well as a bill encouraging stem-cell research that doesn't destroy embryos. Bringing up all three proposals at the same time will help "address the profound questions" surrounding stem-cell research, said Mr. Frist, a surgeon who supports the research.
"We'll see what happens," said Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.). Republican and Democratic aides didn't rule out that all three bills might reach the 60-vote threshold. The House-passed measure is the most important politically. Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, who has pressed Mr. Frist to bring up the measure, said "We have 44 Democrats; we need 16 Republicans. I think we have a real shot at ours." |
