(Warwick, R.I.)–Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today lauded passage of three Senate bills that will enhance stem cell research, including H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which passed the House in May 2005 by a bipartisan vote of 238-194.

Since the House passage of H.R. 810 in May of 2005, Langevin has continuously urged that the Senate stand by its pledge to place a vote on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act at the top of its 2006 agenda. Now H.R. 810 will be sent to the President for his signature, along with S. 2754, which encourages more research on how to obtain stem cells with the same properties as embryonic stem cells without destroying the embryos, and S. 3504, which prohibits the buying and selling of tissue from fetuses created expressly for medical research.

"The Senate vote is an historic bipartisan achievement," said Langevin. "Sadly, it is rumored that H.R. 810 could be the President's first veto, despite the continued suffering of millions from devastating illnesses, and despite the severe limitations on scientific progress in the U.S. Other nations, with more progressive policies, have not let stem cell research opportunities slip by."

On July 14, the American Medical Association and 92 other organizations sent Senators a letter stating, "Of the three bills being considered simultaneously, 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. H.R. 810 is the pro-patient and pro-research bill."

To illustrate the importance of passing embryonic stem cell research, Langevin points to estimates that 342,000 Americans have died of lung disease over the last year. Also in the last year, researchers in the UK have coaxed embryonic stem cells to change into specialized lung cells, highlighting the potential for embryonic stem cells to be used in regenerative medicine. The UK research has moved forward while this research, which holds tremendous potential for not only lung disease, but Parkinson's Disease, ALS and even spinal cord injuries, has been delayed in the U.S.

"I remain optimistic that the President will support embryonic stem cell research," continued Langevin. "A Presidential veto will further delay the full potential of embryonic stem cells. If the President fails to act, people will continue to suffer and the United States will continue to fall behind and lose scientists to other nations in this cutting edge arena."

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